Nandan explained that the
windows shown on the homologation form could not be fitted into the rear doors
of the finished car. The car was originally presented for inspection with the
doors unassembled and the team did not realise that the windows could not be
fitted into them.
Stewards were told the new
windows were 17g lighter on one side and 19g lighter on the other.
Meanwhile, in the race, Neuville headed Jari-Matti
Latvala’s Volkswagen Polo R by 24.8sec after four-days of rough gravel speed
tests on the Mediterranean island.
Championship leader Sébastien
Ogier extended his points advantage by finishing third in another Polo R, a
further 1min 13.0sec behind.Despite overshooting a hairpin bend, Ogier won the
final live TV Power Stage to claim three bonus points. Dutchman Kevin Abbring
took two points for second in an i20, while Latvala claimed the final point in
third.
Neuville won nine of the 19
speed tests, moving to the front on Friday afternoon and repelling a determined
challenge from Jari-Matti Latvala. The Finn closed to within three seconds on
Saturday before Neuville pulled clear and eased through Sunday’s final leg.
“My second time and there is much less
pressure leading the rally,” he said, adding that “We had a great weekend and
great things come to those who go and earn it. The feeling was good in the car,
hopefully it’ll be like this for the rest of the season. It wasn’t easy but we
keep working and it’s good for the confidence.”
Despite an ill-handling
Volkswagen Polo R, Latvala led three times on Friday as he exchanged blows with
Neuville and Sébastien Ogier. A new gearbox rectified the handling issues but
Latvala conceded defeat on SUnday morning when the gap rose towards 20sec.
Ogier extended his championship lead by
finishing third in another Polo R. As road opener, he lost time sweeping the
dry gravel and gambled with soft tyres on Friday and Saturday morning to
achieve his target of a podium finish.