Neuville says Rally Sweden crash result of bad luck

The Belgian was 46 seconds ahead when he damaged the steering on his i20 Coupe WRC during Saturday night's superspecial stage.

This is the second event in succession he has retired from the lead – he missed out on a possible Monte Carlo Rally win when he damaged the rear suspension on a bridge parapet.

Neuville said: “It was a slow corner and I turned at the wrong moment. The tyre hit something, a truck tyre [part of the inside barrier] and I lost the steering. At that point, the rally was finished.

“It would be frustrating if I did a mistake and destroyed the car, but I was doing the perfect job and Nicolas [Gilsoul, co-driver] as well.

"We can’t blame ourselves, we were missing some luck. Even if this is another mistake, you can see from the images that we were not pushing too hard."

He added: “We had spent all Saturday with a deliberate strategy to take things steady and to stay in control of the rally. We didn’t want a repeat of Monte, but that’s exactly what we got.

"I am so disappointed for the team, for Nicolas, and myself but we have to put it quickly behind us.”

Neuville will return for the final day under Rally 2 regulations, and will focus on landing five powerstage points.

“We can’t dwell on such things, however frustrating," continued the Belgian. "We know we have the pace to win rallies with the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC. We have the confidence and I am sure the results will come.”

Hyundai team principal Michel Nandan was unimpressed, saying: “It’s easy to say that this is rallying, however when you have a 43-second lead these things shouldn’t happen in a superspecial stage.

“It’s disappointing for everyone in the team, and of course for Thierry and Nicolas after what had been another commanding performance.

"Until that final stage, they had done everything right - controlling the rally and actually extending their lead.

"The old saying is true: it’s not over until it’s over.”