After years of near-misses, including five frustrating runner-up finishes, Thierry Neuville could finally celebrate a first FIA World Rally Championship drivers’ title at the season-closing Rally

Elfyn Evans won the World Rally Championship season finale in Japan while Toyota snatched the manufacturers’ title in a Power Stage thriller after Thierry Neuville had already been crowned world champion.

Elfyn Evans takes victory in the season-ending Rally Japan as Thierry Neuville claims his first World Rally Championship title after a 15-year wait.

Ott Tanak extended his Rally Japan lead on Saturday, but all eyes were on his Hyundai teammate, Thierry Neuville (above), as he vaulted up the leaderboard to put himself within touching distance

The 2024 WRC manufacturers' title battle went down to the final stage of the season as Toyota overhauled Hyundai by three points

Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe have clinched the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship title in the most dramatic of circumstances, securing their maiden crown after Hyundai Motorsport team-mates Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja crashed out on the opening stage of Rally Japan’s final day.

Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe are the 2024 WRC Champions! The opening stage of the final day of WRC Forum8

Ott Tänak remains in the lead of the season-closing Rally Japan after its first full day of stages, meaning his title bid is still a possibility, after Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville struggled.

Hyundai's Thierry Neuville secured his first world rally championship in Japan on Sunday as Toyota sealed the manufacturers' crown. The Belgian driver ended years of near-misses by finishing sixth after team mate and main rival Ott Tanak crashed out while leading on the day's opening stage.

Ott Tanak and Martin Järveoja completed Saturday’s six stages with a healthy 36 second lead over Toyota’s Elfyn Evans and