It's done: at 36, Thierry Neuville becomes world rally champion for the first time in his career! The Belgian secured the title this Sunday after Ott Tänak, who was leader of this Rally of Japan, went off the track! An abandonment which reshuffles the cards in the Manufacturers' championship since Hyundai and Toyota are now neck and neck for the title. Follow the final special stage of the Rally of Japan with live commentary on AUTOhebdo from 5:50 a.m.
> You can follow the evolution of the rankings live via the official WRC Live Timing, available here.
> Everything you need to know about the 2024 WRC points scale
Saturday 23 / Sunday 24 November
23h39 – ES17 : Why 1 – 20.23 km : Andreas Mikkelsen
00h35 – ES18 : Lake Mikawako 1 – 13.98 km : Thierry Neuville
1h38 – ES19 : Why 2 – 20.23 km : Thierry Neuville / Sébastien Ogier
4h17 – ES20 : Toyota Stadium 3 – 2,15 km : Takamoto Katsuta
6h15 – ES21 (Power Stage) : Lake Mikawako 2 – 13.98 km
WRC – Rally Japan
Follow the Power Stage live with commentary
5h58 – ???? If the Drivers' title is already up for grabs, there is still one rally to complete, a winner to be determined… and another title to play for, that of the Manufacturers! Before the Power Stage, it is Elfyn Evans who leads the debates after regaining control of the rally following the retirement of Ott Tänak.
5h56 – ???????????? Thierry Neuville's reaction after his coronation : “I'm speechless, it kind of happened by surprise. We were preparing the car before the special stage (SS18) and we got a call from Florian, my assistant. He usually never calls, so I figured something was wrong. I heard a lot of people shouting behind me, so I knew it was good news! It took me a while to make this! The feeling will be better day after day, when you really realize what you have accomplished. I can only thank all the people who have been behind me all this time, my supporters – Team #TN11 – who have supported me for years, my family, my team who gave their best, all the people who helped me followed all these years. I am very happy. »
5h54 – ???? Here's the moment Ott Tänak made the fatal mistake and Thierry Neuville officially became WRC world champion!
5h52 – ???????????? If you've just woken up, here's the main news of the night: Thierry Neuville is officially world rally champion! The Belgian took advantage of Ott Tänak's exit from the track and retirement from the first special of the day to secure the title!
Thierry Neuville crowned world champion!
5h50 – ???? Hello everyone ! Welcome to this live commentary to follow together the last special of the Rally of Japan, thirteenth and final round of the 2024 WRC season! The start of the Power Stage (Lake Mikawako 2 – 13.98 km) will be given in a few minutes, at 6:15 a.m.!
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READ ALSO > Who, Neuville or Tänak, “benefited” the most from the new WRC points system?
