As World Rally Championship leaders, Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul will be running first on the road in their Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC when Rally Mexico begins later this week.
The dry and dusty gravel road conditions could not be more different than they were last time out in Sweden, but will cleaning the roads be as contentious as it was in the snow and ice? Until something like a qualifying stage or drawing straws decides the starting order, it’s something the WRC leaders will have to face.
And in Mexico, altitude comes into play too. The highest part of the event is 2,737 metres above sea level, and it’s reckoned that a World Rally Car loses 10 % of power every 1,000 metres!
“We head to Mexico on the back of our fantastic win in Sweden, so our motivation and morale could not be higher,” says Neuville. “Mexico is a nice event and one that brings back good memories. I got my first podium there in 2013, and then scored Hyundai Motorsport’s first ever podium just one year later. The rally has a more relaxed atmosphere, and it’s generally a lot calmer for the drivers. We arrive a bit earlier than normal in order to acclimatise and adjust to the time difference. It is the first event of the year with higher temperatures – and altitude – making it a unique and enjoyable challenge.”
Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul wear Stilo WRC Zero helmets.
