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 essentially 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 last day.
For 36-year-old Neuville, the triumph marks the top of an extended journey. After ending because the WRC’s runner-up 5 occasions, he has shed the tag of the championship’s “almost man” and eventually reached clinched the game’s best prize. The historic triumph not solely celebrates Neuville and Wydaeghe but in addition represents a primary WRC title for each Belgium and Hyundai Motorsport.
The dramatic conclusion adopted a turbulent week for Neuville. After a turbo subject on Friday, his struggle again to seventh total 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 prime of the championship standings turns into unassailable — even when he doesn’t end the rally.
“Actually, it got here like a shock,” stated 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 yr, very powerful, and clearly way more stress than we would have liked – particularly for this final occasion.
“We knew there was a danger and we managed our weekend nearly as good as we may with the issues we had. We’re a bit extra relaxed now so we are able to push tougher for the producers’ championship, as a result of we need to go residence with all of the trophies.”
Whereas the drivers’ championship is set, the struggle for the producers’ crown stays huge open. Tänak’s early exit offers a big blow to Hyundai’s hopes of dethroning reigning champions Toyota which, with 4 levels remaining, is now in pole place to retain its title.
