The Hyundai driver was sitting fourth, 35.3s adrift of rally leader Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier, when he hit a compression that broke the front left suspension on his i20N during stage six.
Unable to repair the damage, Neuville was forced to pull over and retire from the action.
The Belgian had already endured an eventful morning that included being distracted by a bee that had entered his cockpit and a puncture.
Hyundai will fix the car overnight but it is unclear if Neuville will rejoin the rally tomorrow.
“There was no warning at all. The damper must have gone a couple of corners before and obviously at the next corner it came out of its position the driveshaft went immediately and it was all over,” Neuville told Autosport.
“It is frustrating and it has hit us very hard. We were following the plan, we were in the fight despite not the best road conditions and I had a good feeling in the car as well. Obviously we expected better, but the luck was not with us.
“We have to analyse tonight. If there is a chance to get back in the points there is a reason to drive tomorrow, but that will be the only reason.”
Source: Autosport