Thierry Neuville Wins First WRC Championship

Ott Tänak's crash during Stage 17 of the World Rally Championship in Japan led to his retirement and ultimately secured Thierry Neuville his first career title. Tänak, who was in contention for the championship, lost control of his Hyundai and crashed due to debris on the track. Neuville, alongside co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe, became the first champions for Hyundai in the WRC, finishing the season with 242 points. Elfyn Evans won the rally, marking his first victory of the season, while Toyota clinched the Manufacturers' Championship by a narrow margin. In addition, Sami Pajari secured second place in WRC2, which was sufficient for him to claim the class championship. The dramatic turn of events underscored the unpredictability of motorsport, as Neuville expressed his joy over the long-awaited victory.