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

2024 Rally Japan – Sunday report – Breaking news

After years of near-misses and countless heartbreaks, Thierry Neuville can finally bask in the glory of his maiden FIA World Rally Championship title at FORUM8 Rally Japan, where Toyota GAZOO Racing sealed the manufacturers’ crown after a gripping final day packed with drama.

Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaghe’s championship was secured in dramatic fashion early on Sunday when team-mate Ott Tänak – the only driver who could challenge 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 guaranteed with four stages to spare.

The late drama capped off a rollercoaster week for the Belgian, who battled back from 15th place after a turbocharger failure on Friday to finish sixth overall. His historic win is a first not only for him and Wydaeghe, but also their home country of Belgium and the Hyundai Motorsport team after a decade in the WRC.

Neuville had limited time to savour his long-awaited triumph, with Tänak’s crash delivering a cruel twist to Hyundai’s manufacturers’ title aspirations. The Korean marque had the upper hand heading into the final day, but the pendulum swung back to Toyota after a tense showdown on the Wolf Power Stage. Sébastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta and Elfyn Evans delivered clutch performances when it mattered most, helping the Toyota brand snatch its eighth WRC manufacturers’ title.

Evans won the rally from second-placed Ogier while Adrien Fourmaux completed the podium.

More to follow…