In contrast to Formula 1, in the World Rally Championship (WRC) the fate of the world championship title was decided only in the last race, the Japanese rally that ended on Sunday, which was won by Thierry Neuville. The 36-year-old Belgian reached the summit for the first time in his career.

The Hyundai driver and navigator, Martijn Wydaghe, could already feel like a world champion with four high-speed stages before the end, as his only rival, the duo of Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja, had an accident on Sunday’s first stage and was eliminated.


It was enough for Neuville to finish sixth for the World Cup title.

Neuville has been a permanent member of the World Rally Championship field since 2012, despite this only his thirteenth full season was crowned with success. The fact that he previously won silver five times (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) and bronze three times (2021, 2022, 2023) clearly shows how long the road led to his championship.

The Japanese rally was won by Elfyn Evans with Toyota, ahead of his brand partner, eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, and with this the Japanese manufacturer triumphed in the constructors’ points race, just three points ahead of Hyundai.

The final result of the Japan rally (21 speed stages, 302.59 km, the podiums):

  1. Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin (British, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) 3:23:41.0 time
  2. Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais (France, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) 1:27.3 minutes down
  3. Adrien Formaux, Alexandre Coria (francia, Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid) 1:55.5 ph

The final result of the world championship points competition (after 13 races):

  1. Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaghe (Belga, Hyundai) 242 pont
  2. Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin (Brit, Toyota) 210 p. (-32)
  3. Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja (Estonia, Hyundai) 200 p. (-42)