News and Quotes SS1

The 2024 Central European Rally has begun with a spectacular superspecial stage based at the Velká Chuchle trotting track to the south of Prague. A huge crowd gathered in the afternoon sunshine to see the crews make their way through the purpose-built course and savour the unique atmosphere of this unique cross-border motorsport occasion. Championship leader Thierry Neuville clipped a hay bale and damaged the front right corner of his Hyundai, causing concern with another 12km stage to come before the overnight halt. Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier is not yet out of the drivers’ title fight and determined to defend his employer’s manufacturers’ crown, which inspired the eight-time WRC champion to beat Neuville’s target time by 2.2 seconds.

#30 Filip Mareš (CZE) / Ravovan Bucha (CZE), Toyota GR Yaris Rally2

“It’s really special to be honest, I was afraid about the jump here because it’s a topic the last few hours. I would like to tell all crews that it’s really dangerous and it’s better to slow down there!”

#31 Marijan Griebel (DEU) / Tobias Braun (DEU), Škoda Fabia RS Rally2

“I’m really happy, it’s been a long five years (since my last WRC event) but we were really busy in the German championship so it’s like a reward. Thank you very much to Škoda, to ADAC and to every partner who made it possible for me to come here. I hope it’s going to be a good weekend.”

#11 Thierry Neuville (BEL) / Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid

“The gameplan is to get through the rally on a decent rhythm, find our marks and enjoy it. We all would hope we can claim the title this weekend, but we have to see… if we feel comfortable and everything works fine then why not. But on the other hand, it’s still two months to go and we need to carry on, on our rhythm and our strategy.”

#8 Ott Tänak (EST) / Martin Järveoja (EST), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid

“We need to push on our maximum, that’s all we can do so that’s the target anyway. We need to go for it.”

#17 Sébastien Ogier (FRA) / Vincent Landais (FRA), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

“Try to be fast, try to fight for the win. It’s been the case we had a great pace on gravel but unfortunately didn’t bring it to the end somehow, so this weekend is try to be fast and at the end on the podium and on the top step again.”

#33 Elfyn Evans (GBR) / Scott Martin (GBR), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

“For sure there’s a lot of people want to win this rally and we want to be part of that club that’s fighting for that win. It should be a nice weekend ahead.”

#16 Adrien Fourmaux (FRA) / Alexandre Coria (FRA), Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid

“We’re going to try (for the podium). We had a podium in Sweden on snow and then on gravel, so I’d like to get one on Tarmac as well for sure. I’m going to do my best to get the best performance this weekend and we’ll see. I know that Central Europe will be difficult even if it seems to be dryer than last year.”

#18 Takamoto Katsuta (JPN) / Aaron Johnson (IRL), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

“For sure nice to be back. I enjoy the stage. Little bit challenging today, let’s enjoy and push when I get a bit more feeling.”

#5 Sami Pajari (FIN) / Enni Mälkönen (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

“There are many things I guess will be challenging but the feeling is quite nice for the moment and if the weather stays like this it can be quite enjoyable as well. I’m still trying to be on the safe side. I don’t have really expectations; we will do our best and we will see what happens.”

#9 Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR) / Torstein Eriksen (NOR) Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid

“We will do our best this weekend, it will be a tough challenge for sure, but we will give it a go.”

#13 Grégoire Munster (LUX) / Louis Louka (BEL), Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid

“Looking forward to it back on Tarmac after a long time. A surface we like, just looking forward to tackling it with such a beast (as the Rally1 Hybrid).”

#19 Jourdain Serderidis (GRE) / Frédéric Miclotte (BEL) Ford Puma Rally1 (non-Hybrid)

“So far good! Within the team it’s top atmosphere and in Prague also it’s very nice.”

#46 Lysia Baudet (BEL) / Léa Sam-Caw-Freve (FRA), Ford Fiesta Rally3 Beyond Rally

“It was cool – it was too short! It was my first time around the doughnuts, and I have to improve that but anyway to do the second special stage now…”

#47 Suvi Jyrkiäinen (FIN) / Antti Linnaketo (FIN), Ford Fiesta Rally3 Beyond Rally

“I made a mistake (on the doughnut), I had to reverse, but it was a lot of fun.”

#48 Claire Schönborn (DEU) / Jara Hain (DEU), Ford Fiesta Rally3 Beyond Rally

“I was afraid of (the doughnuts) before the start but it turned out good so I’m really happy.”

#20 Oliver Solberg (SWE) / Elliott Edmondson (GBR), Škoda Fabia RS Rally2

“I did a few mistakes in there, pushing a bit too hard I think but it’s a bit of fun. I thought one of the bales was maybe going to move a little bit but I hit it and it’s like ‘bam!’ so it’s a fun weekend I can try a little bit of different things, you know?”

#21 Yohan Rossel (FRA) / Florian Barral (FRA), Citroën C3 Rally2

“For sure it’s a big weekend. I brake on the straight after the jump, I don’t know why. A bit strange but it was a good start, no problem.”

# 22 Nikolay Gryazin (BGR) / Konstantin Alexsandrov (ANA), Citroën C3 (Rally 2)

‘The start was quite good, but we probably don't have the right setup for this twisty course. So it was just a case of getting through it without losing too much time. The race starts for me tonight.’

# 27 Armin Kremer (GER) / Ella Kremer (GER), Skoda Fabia RS (Rally 2)

‘Unfortunately, we didn't get off to an ideal start because we braked a little late. We almost had to take the emergency exit and lost some time. That's annoying, but all is not lost yet. I'm looking forward to the Czech stages. They are very special and technical.’

# 30 Filip Mareš (CZE) / Radovan Bucha (CZE), Toyota GR Yaris (Rally 2)

‘We opened the stage in front of the entire field today. That was a very special moment. The same goes for the podium crossing in Prague with the President of our country. We liked the first stage, even though I was a bit scared of the jump.’

# 39 Jan Černý (CZE) / Ondřej Krajča (CZE), Ford Fiesta Rally3 (Rally 3)

 ‘The first special stage was really beautiful. I live just five kilometres from there, so it's something special for me. But the rally only really starts tomorrow.’

# 40 Filip Kohn (CZE) / Tom Woodburn (GBR), Ford Fiesta Rally3 (Rally 3)

‘I had to get used to the set-up, as it is very different from what I am used to. We pushed hard. We didn't make any mistakes and got through well. It's great that we have a WRC rally in the Czech Republic.’

# 48 Claire Schönborn (GER) / Jara Hain (GER), Ford Fiesta Rally3 (Rally 3)

‘The ceremonial opening was just great. We were able to be in the waiting area with the WRC and WRC’ and later drive over the ramp. Before the first special stage, I had a total heart attack because we had to do a doughnut. Unfortunately, we never got to practice that before. But it went very well.’

# 43 Hermann Gassner (GER) / Michael Wenzel (GER), Renault Clio Rally3 (Rally 3)

‘Prague was really nice, but a show start like this isn't that important for an athlete. But there were a lot of people there. We set the best time in WRC3 later on, so that was a good start. We have now fitted the lights and it's off into the night for us. That's something special in rallying and I really like it.’

# 53 Timo Weigert (GER) / Jasmin Weigert (GER), Renault Clio Rally3 (Rally 3)

‘Prague was a great backdrop. We are competing in a brand new car. SS1 is done and we now want to warm up. The first few metres in the new car were fun. The stages in the Czech Republic tomorrow will be very special.’

# 51 Thomas Pahlitzsch (GER) / Stefan Grundmann (GER), Volkswagen Polo GTI (Rally 2)

‘We had a dream start in front of the castle in Prague. The backdrop was magnificent and the weather perfect. The first stage was more slippery than we thought. It was still great fun though.’