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Belgian Thierry Neuville clinches his first WRC title in a dramatic season finale, overcoming years of near-misses.
After years of near-misses and countless heartbreaks, Thierry Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe have finally reached the pinnacle of rallying, claiming the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship title.
In a dramatic and emotional conclusion at FORUM8 Rally Japan the Belgian duo secured their maiden crown making history for themselves, their nation and Hyundai Motorsport.
The triumph marks the culmination of a relentless journey for 36-year-old Neuville, who endured five agonizing seasons as the WRC runner-up.
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20:30 - 15.11.2024
'It feels like home, but…’ – Adrien Fourmaux reflects on M-Sport as offers pour in
The 29-year-old driver has become the focus of WRC’s top teams, weighing offers from Hyundai, Toyota and M-Sport as he contemplates the next step toward his championship ambitions.
The man once labeled the championship’s “nearly man” can now celebrate his rightful place among the sport’s legends.
The moment of victory came in shocking fashion on Sunday morning when Hyundai teammate Ott Tanak, the only remaining title challenger, crashed out during the opening stage of the rally’s final day.
“Honestly, it came like a surprise,” a jubilant Neuville admitted.
“I don’t know what to say at the moment, but I think we deserve it. It has been a very challenging year, very tough, and obviously much more pressure than we needed – especially for this last event.”
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14:28 - 03.11.2024
FIA Rally Stars overlooks Kenyan hopefuls as 2025 line-up sets sights elsewhere
FIA Rally Stars’ 2025 selection sees no new Kenyan entrants, leaving young talents awaiting their chance.
The path to glory was anything but smooth for Neuville and Wydaeghe.
On Friday, a turbo issue saw them lose significant time, forcing them to claw their way back to seventh overall by Saturday.
By then, the championship battle had boiled down to a simple calculation: Neuville needed only two points from Sunday to seal the title.
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But in rallying, nothing is ever certain as tension mounted as fans and teams prepared for a high-stakes showdown.
Then, in an unexpected twist, Tanak’s crash on the first stage of the day ended the suspense.
His Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID was too damaged to continue, handing the championship to Neuville on a silver platter.
“It has been a rollercoaster season for us,” Neuville reflected.
“We knew there was a risk, and we managed our weekend as best as we could with the problems we had. We are a bit more relaxed now, so we can push harder for the manufacturers’ championship, because we want to go home with all the trophies.”
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07:40 - 27.10.2024
Safari Rally snubbed again as Junior WRC 2025 calendar unveils fresh European challenge
The 2025 FIA Junior WRC calendar promises intense competition across diverse terrains but leaves out Africa's iconic Safari Rally, focusing instead on new European challenges that push young talents to their limits.
Neuville’s title is not only a first for him and Wydaeghe but also the first drivers’ championship for Belgium and Hyundai Motorsport.
It is a crowning achievement for a manufacturer that has poured its heart into competing at the highest level of the sport.
Rally fans across the globe will remember this season as the year Thierry Neuville finally stood tall, proving that persistence and belief can conquer even the steepest of climbs.
In the words of the newly crowned champion: “We did it. This is for everyone who never stopped believing in us.”
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