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Evans wins in Japan as Neuville claims first WRC title

BBC
·2 min read
Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin of Great Britain drive their Toyota in Rally Japan
Success in Japan was the first of the year for Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin [Getty Images]

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.

The Estonian's misfortune also handed Evans, 35, the Rally Japan victory and moved the Welsh driver above Tanak in the overall standings, taking second place for the fourth time in five years.

Evans' win also clinched the manufacturers' title for Toyota Gazoo Racing, consolation for missing out on the drivers' prize for the first time in six years.

"It wasn't looking so good at one point but very happy with the result, very happy for the team," said Evans.

"We're sorry we couldn't deliver one more championship but we'll try again next year.

"Little bit of pressure for sure, but that's the name of the game."

Thierry Neuville and his co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe of Belgium drive their Hyundai during Rally Japan
First appearing in WRC in 2009 Thierry Neuville lead the 2024 championship from start to finish [Getty Images]

Neuville, 36, started the final rally of the 13-race series with a 25-point lead over Tanak, so he needed to score just six points from the weekend to claim the drivers' title.

His hopes suffered a setback on Friday afternoon when a turbo problem saw him and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe drop to 15th.

They recovered to climb the leaderboard before Tanak's stage 17 error handed his Hyundai team-mate the title for the first time after 15 years of trying.

Five times a runner-up, at 5,533 days Neuville's wait for the world crown is the longest in WRC history.

"I'm feeling great to be honest. We worked for that for so long, so super happy. We always give it all but this year we were rewarded for it," said Neuville.

"I don't have the words, but I just want to thank everybody who was part of it, who supported, and us and the team as well."

FIA World Rally Championship final drivers' standings

1. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, 242 points

2. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 210

3. Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, 200

4. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 191

5. Adrien Fourmaux (France), Ford, 162

6. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland), Toyota, 116

FIA World Rally Championship final manufacturers' standings

1. Toyota Gazoo Racing, 561

2. Hyundai Shell Mobis, 558

3. M-Sport Ford, 295