After years of dedication and near misses, Belgium’s Thierry Neuville secured his first FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) title at the FORUM8 Rally Japan 2024. This historic victory crowned a decade of perseverance for Neuville and his Hyundai Motorsport team, with the championship also marking the first for Belgium in WRC history.
A Career of Hard Work Pays Off
Neuville’s journey to the pinnacle of rallying began over a decade ago. His rise to prominence started in 2011 when he joined the Citroën Junior World Rally Team. By 2013, he had signed with Hyundai Motorsports, becoming the face of the team’s WRC program. Over the years, Neuville demonstrated incredible consistency, amassing 21 WRC victories. His dedication and Hyundai’s unwavering support have been central to his success, culminating in this long-awaited championship triumph.
“I don’t have the words, but I want to thank everybody who was part of this. We were many times very close; we always gave it our all, and this year we have been rewarded for it.”
Reflecting on his journey, Neuville said:
A Dramatic Finale in Japan
The championship was clinched on the final day in Japan under dramatic circumstances. Neuville’s only title rival, teammate Ott Tänak, crashed out on the opening stage, securing the Belgian’s title with four stages to spare. Despite suffering a turbocharger failure on Friday and dropping to 15th place, Neuville battled back to finish sixth overall, demonstrating the resilience that has defined his career.
Toyota Secures Manufacturers’ Crown
While Neuville celebrated his individual triumph, Toyota GAZOO Racing snatched the manufacturers’ title in a nail-biting finale. Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, and Takamoto Katsuta delivered clutch performances to secure Toyota’s eighth WRC manufacturers’ crown by just three points over Hyundai – the narrowest margin since 1983.
Evans also claimed victory in Rally Japan after Tänak’s crash, securing second place in the drivers’ championship.
“It wasn’t looking so good at one point, but we’re very happy with the result and for the team. We’ll try again next year,” said Evans, who became the sixth different rally winner of the 2024 season.
Standout Performances
Adrien Fourmaux capped a stellar season with a podium finish for M-Sport Ford. His consistency throughout the year earned him fifth place in the drivers’ standings, his best career result. Toyota’s Katsuta delighted home fans with a fourth-place finish, while Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five for M-Sport.
Rally Japan 2024 Results
Top 5 Classification:
- E. Evans / S. Martin (Toyota GR Yaris) – 3h 23m 41.0s
- S. Ogier / V. Landais (Toyota GR Yaris) – +1m 27.3s
- A. Fourmaux / A. Coria (Ford Puma) – +1m 55.5s
- T. Katsuta / A. Johnston (Toyota GR Yaris) – +2m 2.6s
- G. Munster / L. Louka (Ford Puma) – +3m 11.5s
Drivers’ Championship Standings (Final):
- T. Neuville – 242pts
- E. Evans – 210pts
- O. Tänak – 200pts
Looking Ahead
The 2024 season was one of the most competitive in recent memory, with six different winners across 13 rounds. The WRC calendar expands in 2025 with new events in Saudi Arabia, Paraguay, and Spain, promising another thrilling season. The action kicks off at Rallye Monte-Carlo from 23–26 January.
Neuville’s triumph is a testament to perseverance and teamwork, closing one chapter of his career while setting the stage for new challenges in 2025.
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