#thierry neuville

[storm3326]

thierry! (requested :D)

[redlightspellsdaanger]

Thierry and Nicolas - and Martijn.

Need to write this down to organise my thoughts because I'm seriously fascinated with the dynamics between Thierry and his co-drivers.

Yes, he clearly has a very good relationship with Martijn and they work. But whenever he is asked about him - and in these interviews people tend to pile on the praise even if it's not quite like that - it feels he is almost going out of his way to sound as detached as possible ("you don't have to be friends", "we already end up spending so much time together, so it's best to not mix personal time", etc). It is almost cold. If you didn't see the way they interact you would think they don't mean much to each other.

Which takes us to Le Divorce, as he called it himself - with Nicolas Gilsoul.

The facts are known. Surprise parting only a mere days before the start of the season, both saying it was the other's decision and none of them going into details. Speculation: contractual reasons aka money. (in a very interesting podcast dated January this year Thierry actually said the confidence wasn't there anymore and he alluded to important changes in Nicolas' personal life that had an impact also in their work)

This split could have blown up in the media in a different way but none of them was really pointing fingers in public. To me it came across not as hard feelings - but hurt feelings on both sides.

One looks at how Martijn speaks about Thierry and you can clearly tell he sees him as the boss. My perception from the interaction with Nicolas was completely different. They seemed equals and level in every way.

They joked they were like Yin and Yang, that they complemented each other (N the funnier one, T the more serious; T the less affected by pressure, N would take a few days to turn the page, etc).

But in the middle of it all, you could tell they were extremely close.

With Martijn, instead they highlight how similar they are. In terms of approach, how seriously they take the job. And we have to remember that Martijn is a ray of sunshine but he sat down in the car with Thierry, zero testing together and no shakedown, and drove to a podium in Monte Carlo. He is not there to play.

People get more experienced with age, been there, done that. It's entirely possible Thierry has also changed overtime, older and more seasoned, responsabilities, a lot of pressure and time running out to win.

I can't help but think that the situation with Nicolas marked him deeply.

He doesn't want to be closer to Martijn. Professional aspect aside, he just wants someone who he is at peace with and clicks the same way he does, that they are in synch and that above all, requires no effort. He does not want to have friendship or emotions in the middle because it will make it harder if things go wrong at the job they have to do - he literally said this.

Relationships also work like that. You break-up from a very intense relationship, with incredible highs and devastating lows, and next thing you want is just something...simple.

Funnily enough, T+N remind me of Brocedes in a way. Except that Brocedes is a Hollywood story (full of pettiness, big words, high stakes, a lot of drama) while T+N is an European tale. Understated, lurking in the depths, hurt feelings but no fireworks. Two people who probably didn't stop liking each other but could not continue together.

There's so much I have missed, so this perception I have of the situation could be completely off the mark! It's a work in progress.

If anyone who reads this wants to share their own opinions ideas, I'm all ears!

This is the podcast from January which is quite insightful, on You Tube.

[jack-doohan]

THIERRY NEUVILLE & MARTIJN WYDAEGHE | 2024 FIA AWARDS

[ygrnhh]

BIG FUCKING DAY!!!!!

[stigblomqvists]

congrats to these 2 and their win 🤍🇧🇪

[cemeterygrace]

thierry’s sparkly jacket is a vibe

[zerotosixty]

This is Monte Carlo, and these three gentlemen are here for the most high stakes game in the world of rallying. To win at this table requires talent, courage, and a sixth sense in reading the opponent. Kalle Rovanperä. Now, he may look young, but don’t let that fool you. He’s the best in the world. This relaxed-looking fellow, well, that’s Ott Tänak. The Estonian is not afraid to make tough decisions, and he’s trusted a familiar outfit to have his back in his push for the title. Thierry Neuville. He’s got all the talents to win at the top table: speed of thought and action, a calm temperament, even when the game doesn’t always go his way. So, our first spin of the wheel is here, in Monte Carlo. They’ve placed their bets, but who will take the first spoils?

World Rally Championship drivers Kalle Rovanperä, Ott Tänak, and Thierry Neuville — 2023 Rally Monte Carlo

+ bonus: Kalle actually won, but it wasn’t for real (x)

[drpepperjunior]

A Boy to A Champion - Thierry Neuville

13 Years in the Making!

🍾🍾🍾

[redlightspellsdaanger]

Martijn video interview here.

A chaque spéciale, je suis fier de notre manière de travailler. Et on le fait très bien très bien ensemble. Je ne dirais pas que Thierry m’étonne, mais c’est quand même un grand Monsieur ! 

The way you could see his eyes smiling when he said that they work well together and how he called him a "grand monsieur".

I can't.

[enbyjolras]

another year another roc sweden as vines video

[ygrnhh]

first of all congrats to both of them, its well deserved championships SECOND, i have a really strong feeling that wrc ironically (or not really) did this pic in this hilarious statement. made. saga of graphics started with lando but anyway what a season in both these sports!!

[stigblomqvists]

TN 💐

[somethingsomethingdarksidecookie]

Felipe Drugovich, Mick Schumacher, Thierry Neuville and Sebastian Vettel (l-r) at ROC

© ig @thierryneuville

[sectoralchromatics]

"When there is a will, there is a way!"

Thierry Neuville, interview on 15th April 2010, first year as a driver in WRC // Martijn Wydaeghe, interview with Red Bull Belgium on 18th March 2021, first year as co-driver in WRC

(translations in alt text)

[zerotosixty]

Thierry Neuville and Kalle Rovanperä, 2023 Acropolis Rally Greece

[redlightspellsdaanger]

Sometimes I wonder what it's like to know that you have the nicest co-driver and that everybody loves him.

And that no matter what, he's loyal to you.