Thierry Neuville says that his dream on becoming a WRC Champion came true and is grateful to his team for these eleven years while he reflects on how many times he finished second on the championship.
Neuville joined Hyundai Motorsport back in 2014 and has finished many times second on the drivers' championship, but 2024 was his year as he became the first Hyundai and Belgian driver who was crowned as a WRC Champion. His weekend was not perfect in Japan as turbo issues hit him in Stage 4 resulting in his car having less power for the remaining of Friday. He did not give up and managed to climb from outside the top ten to seventh place overall at the end of Saturday, but he gained one more position after Ott Tanak's crash in Stage 17. He and Martijn Wydaeghe had many chances to become the WRC Champions of 2024, but Tanak and Martin Jarveoja pushed them as the Estonian crew were first overall at the end of Saturday and managed to decrease their gap from 25 to 11 points. However, Neuville and Wydaeghe knew that they were the 2024 WRC Champions when they were informed about their teammates' crash in Stage 17. Last but not least, it must be mentioned that Neuville was leading the championship since Rallye Monte Carlo and showed great consistency on gravel events as he had to clean the roads for the following cars.
"To be standing here as the 2024 FIA WRC drivers’ champion is a dream come true", Neuville said.
"I have to start by thanking my team of 11 years: I couldn’t have done this without you.
"We have finished runners-up many times, but we never gave up hope that our time would come.
"I would also like to congratulate and thank Martijn; it has been incredible four seasons together and we have built a strong partnership in the cock-pit.
"I hope this is the first of many for us.
"I am so honoured to bring home this first drivers’ title for Hyundai Motorsport".
Photo Credits: Red Bull Content Pool
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