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 FORUM8 Rally Japan’s final day.

For 36-year-old Neuville, the triumph marks the end of a long journey. After finishing as the WRC’s runner-up five times, he has shed the tag of the championship’s “nearly man” and finally reached clinched the sport’s greatest prize. The historic triumph not only celebrates Neuville and Wydaeghe but also represents a first WRC title for both Belgium and Hyundai Motorsport.

The dramatic conclusion followed a turbulent week for Neuville. After a turbo issue on Friday, his fight back to seventh overall on Saturday left him needing just two points from Super Sunday to guarantee the crown.

However, those calculations became redundant 19.1km into the first stage of the day when Tänak, the only other title contender, crashed his i20 N Rally1 Hybrid out of the lead. With Tänak unable to continue, Neuville's position at the top of the championship standings becomes unassailable — even if he does not finish the rally.

“Honestly, it came like a surprise,” said the jubilant Belgian. “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.

“We knew there was a risk and we managed our weekend as good 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.”

While the drivers’ championship is decided, the fight for the manufacturers’ crown remains wide open. Tänak’s early exit deals a significant blow to Hyundai’s hopes of dethroning reigning champions Toyota which, with four stages remaining, is now in pole position to retain its title.