How Thierry Neuville’s WRC co-driver prepared for Rally Estonia at Goodwood

When you peeked via the window of Thierry Neuville’s Hyundai i20 N World Rally Championship automobile final weekend on the Goodwood Competition Velocity, you wouldn’t have seen the reigning world champion sporting his orange rimmed spectacles.

As an alternative, it was one other Belgian, albeit a well-known face, in Neuville’s world championship successful co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe sat behind the wheel of the WRC weapon. Usually Wydaeghe is armed together with his pacenote guide, pencil and stopwatches, however for as soon as these had been put apart and the driving gloves had been firmly on for a uncommon alternative, simply days earlier than spherical eight of the championship in Estonia this week.

“The workforce requested me just a few weeks in the past [if I would like to drive the car at Goodwood] and I didn’t hesitate too lengthy really,” Wydaeghe instructed Motorsport.com. “It’s a good alternative only for enjoyable. Out of competitors I hope to do these type of issues as I’m enthusiastic about rally, so when you could have this chance you can not say no.”

It’s not unprecedented for co-drivers to drive WRC automobiles on street sections throughout rallies however extraordinarily uncommon to see them leap behind the wheel to deal with rally phases. For Wydaeghe, who has been Neuville’s navigator since 2021, the 32-year-old had by no means pushed the i20 N Rally1 on a street part not to mention a stage earlier than final weekend. The Belgian and eight-time WRC rally winner didn’t go into Goodwood Competition of Velocity utterly blind having piloted Hyundai’s earlier technology WRC automobile – the i20 Coupe – at Rally Legend in San Marino two years in the past, with driver and Hyundai team-mate Dani Sordo within the passenger seat.

At Goodwood, Wydaeghe discovered himself thrusted into the driving force seat, joined by visitors within the passenger’s spot able to be thrilled by the sheer energy and brute drive of a WRC automobile across the slim and slippery Hannu Mikkola-designed 1.5-mile gravel rally stage. Earlier than leaping within the driver’s seat Neuville had at the least proven Wydaeghe the best way to begin the automobile.

“I haven’t given him any recommendation in any respect. On a current take a look at I confirmed him the beginning button and that’s it,” Neuville mentioned.

Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Group Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photograph by: WRC.com

Wydaeghe added: “No [there was little advice], he [Thierry] was making me scared. It is rather low grip and you can not make a mistake, so I feel when he sees an image of the again [of the car featuring some dents] he’ll giggle just a little bit.

“I attempted to arrange pretty much as good as doable however if you’re not used to driving this automobile [it is difficult]. I haven’t even pushed it on a street part as another co-drivers have, so if you uncover 400 horsepower on a small stage it’s regular that you’re a little bit nervous.”

However there was little for Wydaeghe to be nervous about. An in depth inspection of the i20 N’s rear bumpers revealed proof of some over-exuberance and shut calls with the inviting haybales that lined a lot of the stage. However, to the hundreds of onlookers, all they’d have seen is the orange and blue i20 N Rally1 flash by and kick up mud in spectacular style. However what was it wish to ditch the pacenotes for the steering wheel and pedals?

“The rally stage could be very tough, it is extremely slim and really slippery, so if you’re not used to driving a rally automobile that’s one factor, however to drive a Rally1 automobile is one other stage. I used to be actually stunned by the low grip and you may really feel that with the rear of the automobile. I used to be utilizing the hay bales a bit to make the turns, however aside from that every little thing was going very easy,” defined Wydaeghe.

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Whereas this was a possibility to have enjoyable and benefit from the feeling of piloting the current-specification of WRC monster, a day behind the wheel delivered a brand new perspective for the talents required to wheel these automobiles via the world’s hardest roads. Wydaeghe has sat via numerous phases delivering pacenotes stuffed with data at a mesmerising tempo. He’s felt the sheer eye-watering acceleration and braking forces the automobile produces and the intense situations contained in the cabin. However on the subject of driving, Wydaeghe says Neuville and his contemporaries are superhuman.

“My respect for the WRC drivers and particularly Thierry is wonderful, it’s the high of the highest. It’s only if you do it your self you uncover how troublesome it’s,” he added.

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Group Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photograph by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport

“When you take a look at what they’ll do on these quick and technical phases in all kinds of situations, I actually must take my hat off to them. That is if you keep in mind that you want a number of expertise and laborious work to get to that stage. I can be glad to be again on the appropriate aspect of the automobile again in Rally Estonia, as that’s the place I belong.”

It is likely to be some time earlier than we see Wydaeghe within the driver seat of the i20 N Rally1 automobile once more, however there may be most undoubtedly a need to proceed driving – simply not in a aggressive sense.

“I benefit from the driving when it’s out of competitors or an illustration occasion like Goodwood,” he mentioned. “I’ve zero ambition to be knowledgeable driver however there are two issues I undoubtedly wish to do in my life and it’s Monte Carlo Historic as a driver for the expertise and to find the phases they did prior to now. And my dwelling occasion Ypres Rally, which was additionally the place I received my first win in WRC [in 2021]. If at some point I’ve a possibility to do that rally as a zero automobile or course automobile I’d love to try this.”

This week Wydaeghe will decide up the pacenote guide, pencil, street books and stopwatches once more to arrange for what can be an important spherical for the reigning world champions’, as they appear to ignite their WRC title defence. Will it’s troublesome to recollect which aspect of the automobile to leap in?

“It might be a very good joke to play making an attempt to get within the driver’s seat in Estonia!” Wydaeghe smiles.