Q & A with M-Sport driver Thierry Neuville

Thierry, do you regard Rallye Deutschland as your home rally?

It’s not my home rally but it’s the closest rally to where I live. It’s a different atmosphere with more spectators and fans coming from Belgium, but it’s still a rally like all the others. But I must be careful not to put more pressure on myself here.

Do you feel under more pressure?

Not yet!

You’ve enjoyed some great results on gravel rounds recently, but this is asphalt and on the type of roads with which you feel comfortable. Do you feel it’s your best chance yet for a victory?

There are a few more positive things for us running on asphalt than gravel, but having said that I think we have made a big progression on gravel this season. Here we may have more speed because it’s more natural for me to drive on this surface. But I don’t think it will make a big difference for me on asphalt compared to drivers like Ogier, Latvala and Sordo.

How have you prepared for the rally?

We had two days testing in Germany which went really well. We drove on the Baumholder military land and in the vineyards. It was good preparation.

If you had a crystal ball at the start of the season and looked forward to see your results, would you have believed what you have achieved?

In some points yes, and in others no. I knew we would be better than we were last year because of the experience we gained and from what we learned. But getting second in Sardinia I would never have believed because it’s a rally that I don’t like so much. I felt really comfortable in the Fiesta there. At other rallies, like Greece, I was driving slowly to take care of the car - and in some others I went off! In Finland I knew I would have a good rhythm. I had a good pre-event test and wanted to push.