Hyundai Motorsport will be glad to have seen the finish to the fourth round of the FIA World Rally Championship, XION Rally Argentina, after enduring a tough event. Spaniard Dani Sordo managed to finished fifth overall while also scoring two Power Stage points in his i20 WRC.
Sordo rejoined the rally on Sunday morning after mechanical problems sidelined him at the end of leg three.
“It has been a very tough event for everyone so I am pleased that we have been able to finish Rally Argentina with some good points for the Manufacturers’ classification.” said Sordo “After the disappointment of finishing early yesterday, we were back on the pace in the two El Condor stages this morning, finishing second on both runs.”
Hayden Paddon was classified 16th after a difficult weekend that saw him having to restart the event twice. He was also involved in an accident that resulted in spectators being taken to hospital on Saturday’s stages. Paddon rejoined for the final time on Sunday morning in a bid to raise his confidence and got his i20 WRC to the end.
“It’s been a difficult event but nothing more than we expected.” said the Kiwi “We could see on the reconnaissance that it was going to be hard on the cars. We had planned to take it nice and easy this weekend knowing that conditions were rough.
Thierry Neuville had a heartbreaking end to his Rally Argentina. The Belgian hit a rock on the final stage of the event which broke a wheel forcing his retirement on the spot. Neuville had been on course to finish fourth before his retirement.
“This is a disappointing end to the rally for all of us in the team.” said Neuville “I made a mistake in the Power Stage, by attacking too much from the beginning of the stage.
