RACING LINES
Damien Smith
Neuville (right) was guided by compatriot Wydaeghe to a long-awaited title in Japan
F
ive times a runner-up, Thierry Neuville is now finally a World Rally
Champion after a nervy conclusion to the 2024 season in Japan. At 36, the Belgian is the first to win the WRC title for Hyundai, having led all the way since the Monte Carlo Rally in January.
Heading into Rally Japan, Neuville held a 25-point lead over his team-mate and only title rival Ott Tänak, so it would have taken a huge swing for him to have lost the crown – but a turbo failure on the Friday left him in limp mode and on edge as the Estonian charged into a healthy lead. Thank goodness for that points cushion.
Having finished the day down in 15th, seven and a half minutes off the lead, a better Saturday helped Neuville recover to seventh and balanced on the cusp of the title. All Tänak could do was maximise his score.