Hyundai Motorsport has achieved a historic milestone in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), with Belgian duo Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe securing the team’s first-ever drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles. The pair clinched the championship at Rally Japan, marking the culmination of an exceptional 2024 season in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid.
Neuville and Wydaeghe have been a dominant force throughout the year, leading the championship standings since the opening round. Their campaign was highlighted by two victories, six podium finishes, and an impressive 49 stage wins.
Their season started strong with a decisive victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo, and they maintained momentum with consistent performances across varied conditions, with podiums in Portugal and Greece. Even setbacks, such as a mechanical issue at Rally Italia Sardegna didn’t derail their progress, thanks to a mix of determination and strategic driving.
The championship battle came to a dramatic conclusion in Japan. Despite a technical issue on Friday that dropped them out of the points, the pair staged a remarkable comeback, finishing the event with the points needed to seal the title. A crash by their closest rivals and teammates, Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja, on Sunday morning’s opening stage confirmed Neuville and Wydaeghe as champions.
For Neuville, this title is the crowning achievement of an 11-year partnership with Hyundai Motorsport. Over his career, he has taken 21 rally victories and 62 podiums, playing a crucial role in the team’s success, including two manufacturers’ titles in 2019 and 2020.
Wydaeghe, reflecting on the victory, praised the team’s resilience and strategic approach, which often emphasised strong finishes on the final day of events. Hyundai Motorsport president Cyril Abiteboul commended the duo’s determination and teamwork, saying:
“Their unrelenting determination has been evident, and their first titles are well deserved. I would also like to extend my congratulations and gratitude to everyone in the team for their individual efforts in this latest success for Hyundai Motorsport.”
This achievement was almost backed by a manufacturers’ title as well, with the season rounding out with Toyota and Hyundai just three points apart. Toyota wins the 2024 WRC manufacturers’ title with 561 points, against 558 for Hyundai and 295 points for M-Sport Ford.
