How Neuville overcame Rally Japan jeopardy to clinch the WRC crown at last
An early turbo failure jeopardised the WRC title favourite’s hopes in Rally Japan, only for a final-day roll from team-mate Ott Tanak to see Thierry Neuville secure the drivers’ crown, but that in turn meant Hyundai lost the manufacturers' title to Toyota
To be a world champion in motorsport requires skill, resilience and mental fortitude. All of those attributes were in abundance at Rally Japan, where Thierry Neuville finally realised his childhood dream of being crowned as king after one of the most dramatic season finales in World Rally Championship history.
The 2024 WRC season has been turbulent and somewhat complex, thanks to its controversial new points system. But in terms of drama and unpredictability, rallying’s top tier has been off the charts, and Japan provided the perfect illustration. Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe were tested to the limit and forced to again dig deep to lift rallying’s most coveted prize. "We made it," proclaimed the Hyundai star, who finally laid to rest his ‘bridesmaid’ tag earned through five times finishing as WRC runner-up. "I’m very proud and I’m very happy. It is just a reward for years of fighting and never giving up."
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