WRC – Neuville/Wydaghe rejoice historic WRC title as Evans/Martin win & Toyota takes Producers’ glory in Japan

2024 Rally Japan – Sunday report – Breaking information

After years of near-misses and numerous heartbreaks, Thierry Neuville can lastly bask within the glory of his maiden FIA World Rally Championship title at FORUM8 Rally Japan, the place Toyota GAZOO Racing sealed the producers’ crown after a gripping last day filled with drama.

Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaghe’s championship was secured in dramatic trend early on Sunday when team-mate Ott Tänak – the one driver who may problem him – crashed his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid out of the rally lead on the day’s opening stage. With a 25-point cushion heading into the season finale, Neuville’s title was assured with 4 levels to spare.

The late drama capped off a rollercoaster week for the Belgian, who battled again from fifteenth place after a turbocharger failure on Friday to complete sixth general. His historic win is a primary not just for him and Wydaeghe, but additionally their residence nation of Belgium and the Hyundai Motorsport staff after a decade within the WRC.

Neuville had restricted time to savour his long-awaited triumph, with Tänak’s crash delivering a merciless twist to Hyundai’s producers’ title aspirations. The Korean marque had the higher hand heading into the ultimate day, however the pendulum swung again to Toyota after a tense showdown on the Wolf Energy Stage. Sébastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta and Elfyn Evans delivered clutch performances when it mattered most, serving to the Toyota model snatch its eighth WRC producers’ title.

Evans gained the rally from second-placed Ogier whereas Adrien Fourmaux accomplished the rostrum.