The newly crowned world rally champion believes his mental strength has been key to finally achieving his ultimate goal

Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe have clinched the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship title in 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 Rally Japan’s final day.

Ott Tanak extended his Rally Japan lead on Saturday, but all eyes were on his Hyundai teammate, Thierry Neuville (above), as he vaulted up the leaderboard to put himself within touching distance

After finishing runner-up on five occasions, Thierry Neuville can no longer be called the bridesmaid and has joined the exclusive club of World Rally champions. Here’s how the Belgian went from rising

Elfyn Evans takes victory in the season-ending Rally Japan as Thierry Neuville claims his first World Rally Championship title after a 15-year wait.

Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe are the 2024 WRC Champions! The opening stage of the final day of WRC Forum8

The battle for this year’s FIA World Rally Championship title is set to go to the wire as Hyundai Motorsport’s Ott Tanak leads Rally Japan overnight, with teammate and WRC points leader Thierry

Rally Japan 4 Update

Rally Japan delivered a thriller to decide the WRC drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles

Ott Tanak has dramatically crashed out of the lead of Rally Japan which has handed Thierry Neuville the World Rally Championship and swung the manufacturers title battle towards Toyota. Tanak started Sunday with a 38 second rally lead over Toyota’s Elfyn Evans which he needed to maintain to keep his WRC title hopes alive.