WRC – Neuville and Wydaeghe safe maiden WRC crown after Tänak crashes in Japan

2024 Rally Japan – Breaking information

Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe have clinched the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship title in probably the most dramatic of circumstances, securing their maiden crown after Hyundai Motorsport team-mates Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja crashed out on the opening stage of FORUM8 Rally Japan’s closing day.

For 36-year-old Neuville, the triumph marks the tip of a protracted journey. After ending because the WRC’s runner-up 5 occasions, he has shed the tag of the championship’s “almost man” and at last reached clinched the game’s biggest prize. The historic triumph not solely celebrates Neuville and Wydaeghe but additionally represents a primary WRC title for each Belgium and Hyundai Motorsport.

The dramatic conclusion adopted a turbulent week for Neuville. After a turbo difficulty on Friday, his struggle again to seventh general on Saturday left him needing simply two factors from Tremendous Sunday to ensure the crown.

Nonetheless, these calculations turned redundant 19.1km into the primary stage of the day when Tänak, the one different title contender, crashed his i20 N Rally1 Hybrid out of the lead. With Tänak unable to proceed, Neuville’s place on the high of the championship standings turns into unassailable — even when he doesn’t end the rally.

“Actually, it got here like a shock,” mentioned the jubilant Belgian. “I don’t know what to say in the meanwhile, however I feel we deserve it. It has been a really difficult 12 months, very powerful, and clearly rather more strain than we wanted – particularly for this final occasion.

“We knew there was a danger and we managed our weekend pretty much as good as we may with the issues we had. We’re a bit extra relaxed now so we will push more durable for the producers’ championship, as a result of we wish to go house with all of the trophies.”

Whereas the drivers’ championship is set, the struggle for the producers’ crown stays extensive open. Tänak’s early exit offers a big blow to Hyundai’s hopes of dethroning reigning champions Toyota which, with 4 phases remaining, is now in pole place to retain its title.