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 won the season-ending Rally Japan as Thierry Neuville wrapped up his first World Rally Championship (WRC) title.Belgian Neuville's overall victory was secured when Hyundai team-mate Ott Tanak crashed out on the final morning while leading the rally.

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.

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

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

Ott Tänak extended his Rally Japan lead on Saturday, but all eyes were on team-mate Thierry Neuville as he charged up the leaderboard to put himself within touching distance of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship crown.

Rally Japan 4 Update

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.