Page 113 - Automobile Magazine - 9.YIL Özel Kasım Sayısı Türkçe-İngilizce E-Dergi.

Reply: No, I think, close to the start, I felt really take care of this dust situation. It is
a few knocks early on the rear. I just felt not nice for anybody. Nobody feels safe. It
straight away I had quite a few corners is a matter of luck how the wind comes to
where the rear was trying to slide and I give you a bit more or less visibility. Playing
said to Scotty it felt quite clear. What I said a championship in those conditions is not
was I am not sure if we have got a punc- really nice either. It is an important point
ture here. Obviously, I carried on and it but also I want to mention that it was very
turned out we didn’t. It was all okay at the hot in the cars this weekend. I think all
end. Question: All okay at the end, but how the other drivers agree on that. We have
much of a tough challenge has it been this been complaining since long to get the
weekend? Reply: It has been very tough, side film on the windows to be at least a
of course. The first pass through that long little bit protected from the sun, especially
one was very difficult this morning. Every- in such hot conditions on such very slow
body had dust at the start and Kalle had stages with no cool air coming in the car.
a puncture in front of us and the gap was It is really something we have to focus
only two minutes, so I was constantly in on. I said it to the other drivers and some
his dust then all the way to the end and it replied the same. I felt dizzy at the end of
was quite difficult, you know, in and out of some stages and also getting out of the
the dust, non-stop, with that many corners car. It took 10-15 minutes to recover. I am
and that many things to hit. It was quite physically quite fit but it is just too hot in
stressful, but happy that we came through those cars.
in those conditions. Question: Into the lead Sébastien Loeb (FRA), Hyundai Shell Mobis
of the championship now with an 18 point World Rally Team Interview
advantage. How critical is that at this point Question: Seb, let’s turn to you now. On
in the season? Reply: It is better that way to the podium with third position but what
than the other way round. I haven’t given a dramatic weekend. But it turned out
it too much thought. Who knows what will okay in the end? Reply: At the end, we
Elfyn Evans (GBR), Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally happen between now and the end of the are still on the podium but we had some
Team Interview season. We know that, ultimately, one re- ups and downs all the weekend. It was a
Question: Elfyn, a hugely dramatic day today. You tirement and it is flipped on its head again. very complicated rally. It was really rough
find yourself with maximum points in terms of the We have to keep our heads down for the and very hard for the tyres. So it was a
win. How are you feeling right now? Reply: Of next rallies. surprise for me to lead the rally on the first
course, very happy. I would say it is not the sweet- Thierry Neuville (BEL), Hyundai Shell Mobis day. I was happy for that. I started as fast
est of my wins. You never want to win in these World Rally Team Interview as possible to get into a good rhythm to
circumstances. Of course, it is good points and Question: Thierry, your never-give-up spirit have a good road position for the rest.
that is what we came here for. Fortunately here, really came through strongly this weekend. It was an amazing moment for me to be
as we know, it is a bit of a lottery. There is only so Disappointment obviously this morning but leading after the first stages. Then it went
much you can do to influence that. This time, we you came back very strongly and sealed a bit more complicated on the second day
were on the right side of that. There have been those five points as well on the Power with the bad tyre choice in the morning
situations in the past where we have been on the Stage. What is going through your mind and I lost a bit of contact with the lead. I
dark side of circumstances. I think we have to take right now? Reply: Obviously, there is a lot tried to survive with that. The second pass
that and be happy for it. Question: That first stage of disappointment right now. To be honest, of the long stage, I destroyed my tyres
this morning caused a huge amount of drama. we had a really strong performance all again. Luckily not as much as Elfyn. I had 113
You came through unscathed. On the second weekend. The speed was there and we the rest of two tyres left for the last stage
pass, you did say that you thought you may have didn’t make any major mistakes and we so we could come back to second place.
a puncture. Was that maybe being too aware of had a clever management of the tyres as Today, in the morning, we had to start flat
the feelings in the car and the noise? well. Unfortunately, not everything came out but with the dust we had, it was just
together this morning. We knew we were amazing. The conditions in the stage were
going to try and drive carefully in the stage not driveable sometimes and when I had MAGAZINE.COM.TR
and we were exactly following our target. the information that nearly everybody had
For many other drivers as well, luck was stopped in the stage, I tried to secure a bit
not on our side and we got the punc- my drive and not take any risks and not
ture. We lost first position, fought back get a puncture. Then I also got a puncture!
to P2 after that and we took five Power From where, this I don’t know. I didn’t feel
Stage points. I think we have to take the anything in the dust. Luckily, we restarted
positives away from this weekend. We are the fight until the end of the rally and we AUTOMOBILE
a bit closer to the lead of the champion- were able to finish on the podium. It is
ship. That was our main target. We are still a great result for me. I think I was here to
able to fight for the championship on the secure the points for the Manufacturers’
upcoming rounds. We are P5 and have a Championship and the result for Hyundai
good road position for Sardinia. Question: is not too bad. Question: When you went
In has been a strange year and not many into the afternoon stages, you were only a
rallies. We are not sure how many more handful of seconds behind Sébastien Ogi-
there are to go. So you have to keep er. Did you back off when Ogier stopped?
pushing out there? Reply: Anyhow, I am Reply: I didn’t really back off. I didn’t want
not a guy to give up until it is mathemat- to change the rhythm in the stage, so it
ically finished. I am going to push hard. was a mix between pushing and going
I want victories as well. I am hungry for around the stones. The conditions were
more. We were very motivated this week- too rough to go 100%. It was really a
end, especially after the disappointments lottery in the first pass. I managed a bit
of Mexico and Estonia. I think we deserved but I don’t think it would have changed
the win this weekend. But, obviously, it anything. I could not have beaten the two
wasn’t ours. We look forward to the next guys here with me. I think it was a good
event. The organisers and the FIA should strategy.
Kasım - November 2020