Thierry Neuville is only one day away from his greatest achievement in the WRC. The Belgian is in an ideal position on Rally Japan to clinch his first World Rally Championship title. If his quest started very badly on Friday with an engine problem which cost him more than seven minutes, the Hyundai driver made up for it very well by moving up to 7th place on Saturday evening, when a first ranking was established for the distribution of points.
With this 7th place, Thierry Neuville wins four additional points, and brings his total (virtual, because he must finish the rally first) to 229 points. His rival Ott Tänak, at the head of Rally Japan, has so far secured 18 points before the final day and has virtually 218 points. Mathematically, the Belgian is not yet completely assured of being titled, since there will be 12 points distributed on Sunday with the Super Sunday (cumulative times on the Sunday specials) and the Power Stage.
READ ALSO > New points scale in WRC: how does it work?
For Thierry Neuville to be titled without worrying about Ott Tänak's result, he will have to win at least two points on Sunday. In the event of a tie on points and with the view that Ott Tänak wins the Rally Japan – his only option if he wants to be champion this weekend – then it would be the Estonian who would be titled on the number of victories ( one for Neuville, three for Tänak including Japan).
If Thierry Neuville fails to score his two points, then he will have to hope that Ott Tänak does not make a big splash during Super Sunday and the Power Stage. However, this scenario is highly improbable with only 8 Rally1s entered in Japan and points awarded for the first 7 during Super Sunday… Be careful though because with the slightest error, the accounts can drop to zero in the event of retirement on Sunday ! Until the last meters of the Power Stage, the suspense will remain complete!
Thierry Neuville champion if…
– He scores at least two points on Sunday (6e place du Super Sunday OR 4th place in the Power Stage OR 7th place in Super Sunday and 5th place in Power Stage)
– Ott Tänak scores ten points or less on Sunday
Ott Tänak champion…
– He scored 12 points on Sunday (1st place Super Sunday and 1st place Power Stage) ET Thierry Neuville scores one point or less
– He scored 11 points on Sunday (1st place in Super Sunday and 2nd place in Power Stage OR 2nd in Super Sunday and 1st in the Power Stage) ET Thierry Neuville scores no points
READ ALSO > Tänak escapes at the head of Rally Japan, Neuville closes in on the title
