#Japan #Hyundai #Thierry Neuville #Motorsport

A Historic Moment in WRC

The 2024 season of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) drew to a thrilling close with Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe of Hyundai Motorsport clinching the drivers' and co-drivers' titles at the Rally Japan. This unprecedented achievement marks a significant milestone for both the drivers and the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, who set their sights on this goal at the beginning of the season.

The championship's finale was a true nail-biter. Neuville and Wydaeghe, having maintained a leading position throughout the season, faced challenges head-on. Their journey began with a strong performance at Rallye Monte-Carlo where they achieved a convincing victory. Following this, the duo leveraged the new FIA WRC scoring system to sustain their lead through various challenging terrains in Sweden and Kenya.

In Croatia, they again proved their mettle by leading for 15 out of 20 stages. While an incident on the final day prevented them from winning, their strategic gameplay enabled them to secure the necessary points to stay ahead in the standings. The momentum lifted them further with strong results in Portugal and a crucial finish in Rally Italia Sardegna, where Neuville and Wydaeghe demonstrated resilience after a retirement, which could have jeopardized their position.

Their championship journey saw them navigating difficult events in Poland, Latvia, and Finland, ultimately emerging with a healthy lead over their competitors. A staggering podium sweep in Greece solidified their dominance, as they headed into the final leg of the championship in Japan with a solid point advantage.

Despite a rocky start in Japan, including a mechanical issue that knocked them out of the scoring positions temporarily, Neuville and Wydaeghe showcased their mental resilience. Their comeback on Saturday to reclaim a top seven position set the stage for victory as they entered the final day needing only two points to secure the championship. Ironically, their closest rivals, Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja, crashed early on Sunday, thus sealing the championship for Neuville and Wydaeghe.

Neuville, reflecting on his monumental win, expressed immense gratitude toward his team and his co-driver, Wydaeghe. After numerous near-wins and a fruitful 11-season career with Hyundai Motorsport, this championship represents the culmination of hard work, determination, and a steadfast partnership. He remarked, "To be standing here as the 2024 FIA WRC drivers' champion is a dream come true... We have finished runners-up many times, but we never lost hope."

Martijn Wydaeghe shared in these sentiments, noting their mental toughness throughout the season and the impressive teamwork that allowed them to stay focused under pressure. He stated, "Despite setbacks, we kept believing in ourselves and the team, and our strategy really paid off."

Cyril Abiteboul, the Hyundai Motorsport President, lauded Neuville and Wydaeghe for their tenacity, crediting their efforts for fulfilling the team's ambitious objective for the season. He acknowledged the years of dedication and hard work that brought them to this pinnacle of racing and expressed hope for future successes.

The WRC has become a deeply following sport around the globe, and Hyundai Motorsport's achievement has made waves within the industry. It not only emphasizes the brand’s commitment to excellence in motorsport but also highlights the hard-earned successes of their drivers.

As Hyundai Motorsport looks to the future, the partnership between Neuville and Wydaeghe not only signifies a personal triumph but also suggests promising prospects ahead in the world of rally racing. Following this remarkable win, fans and competitors alike will be eager to see what comes next for this dynamic duo and the Hyundai team, aiming for continued success in the coming seasons.