The teams of ACM Media Commission met a relaxed and happy Thierry Neuville last week, a few days before the start of the 93rd Monte-Carlo Rally. The Monegasque resident, who is now a full-time member of ACM, has two good reasons to shine this year: he is the current World Rally Champion and last year’s winner in the Principality!

How does it feel to be starting the Rally Monte-Carlo again?

“Monte-Carlo is definitely one of the most mythical rallies on the calendar, if not the most mythical and prestigious. Every WRC driver wants to win it at least once in his life. I’ve won it twice (2020, 2024) and both victories had a special flavour. They were great victories, and they were won in the right way. So to complete a hat-trick wouldn’t be bad”.

Does your new status as World Champions change anything in your approach?

“We’re the defending champions, but we are back to square one. We’re starting a new season with the same ambitions, the same goals, the same desire, but a little less weight on our shoulders. We’re a bit relieved about that (having won the world title), but the pressure to get the big points for the team is still there. That’s good, and we’re ready. I’m looking forward to having a great time, always with the aim of helping Hyundai win, so that its commitment to rallying continues. There are also the 2027 regulations on the horizon, the promotion of the championship and a lot of open questions. We’re going to put everything in the same basket to give ourselves the best possible chance”.

Who will be your main rivals?

“This year, there will be one more title contender: Kalle (Rovanperä) will be one of the men to beat, even if last year Sébastien Ogier decided, during the season, to play the title race to the end. There will also be Ott Tänak, Elfyn Evans and maybe Adrien Fourmaux too”.

Do you always listen to the notes of your co-driver, Martijn Wydaeghe?

“I always listen to my co-driver’s notes. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be competitive at all. There are certain stages that we redo every year, so we’re getting to know them, but there are a lot of changes on the roads from one year to the next, with the weather, the bumps, the quality of the asphalt. Even if you think you know the terrain, you always have to listen to your co-driver. Once you’ve set off on a special stage, once you’ve got the right rhythm, it’s almost automatic”.

How are the road connections going?

“We never get bored on the sometimes very long road sections. We’re always thinking about what we can do to improve the car, the tires we need to put on, the information we get from the team, the weather, with updates every five minutes, the engineer who often asks for things. In the first phase of the road section, we debrief the previous stage, then we stop and make changes to the car for the next stage. Then we have to put ourselves in a bubble of concentration, as we warm up the tires and put on the helmet, focusing on the stage ahead. The atmosphere in the car changes radically”.

What language do you speak with Martijn in the car?

“We are good symbols of what Belgium is like, with three official languages spoken. Martijn is Flemish and I was born in a German-speaking region, but we speak French in the car. It’s the language best suited to our notes, so that it’s precise in terms of road conditions”.

And how do you feed yourselves during a rally?

“Florian (Haut-Labourdette) organizes our meals for each day, with a nutrition plan that we follow as closely as possible, even if it’s not always easy. We also have a catering service at the service park, and we’re very well organized. We eat at lunchtime while watching the videos and notes for the afternoon. In the evening, we get back to the hotel as quickly as possible to prepare for the next day, with lots of videos to watch”.

Are you still enjoying life in Monaco?

“I’ve been living here for ten years, my children go to school and nursery in Monaco, so I appreciate life here. There are a lot of facilities for a top-level athlete, it’s small, a little isolated, with plenty of sunshine. There’s the proximity of the airport, and above all the ease of dealing with administrative formalities. You can do almost everything on foot, so it’s very quick”.

If you had the opportunity to contest a Rallye Monte Carlo Historique, which car would you choose?

“I’d probably go for an Opel Manta 400, just to enjoy myself. But on a rally with lots of snow, a Porsche would be more competitive, with its rear engine”.

What would you have done if you hadn’t become a rally driver?

“I think I could have become a helicopter pilot. I got my license eight years ago. I love it”.