Neuville praised for playing it safe

Thierry Neuville came in for significant praise from his team boss on Wales Rally GB, even though he didn’t push flat out for success on the FIA World Rally Championship round.

Neuville steered his Citroen Junior World Rally Team DS3 WRC to seventh place on his Rally GB debut last week after driving at “80 per cent” according to Yves Matton, the Citroen Racing director.

“We asked him to drive at a tempo to be sure not to make mistakes and that’s what he did,” said Matton. “He drove at 80 per cent to be at the finish and I was happy because of this. On the first day he was first on the road and in this condition when your head is thinking not to make a mistake it was not easy.”

Neuville, who revealed he was instructed to select first place on the road on day one, said: “It was difficult at times but for the experience it was very good and we got through without making any mistakes, that’s the most important thing. I was very focused and I steadily grew in confidence.”