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Hyundai’s Rally Japan Dream Turns to Nightmare: Mikkelsen’s Crash and Neuville’s Woes Rock Championship Battle

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
November 22, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Hyundai’s Rally Japan Dream Turns to Nightmare: Mikkelsen’s Crash and Neuville’s Woes Rock Championship Battle

Hyundai’s hopes of securing the 2024 manufacturers’ championship took a disastrous turn at Rally Japan as Andreas Mikkelsen’s shocking crash not only blocked the stage but also sent their title ambitions skidding off course.


From Triumph to Tragedy: Mikkelsen’s Costly Slip

Running sixth heading into the infamous second pass of Isegami’s Tunnel (SS5), Mikkelsen was expected to keep Hyundai firmly in contention. But in a cruel twist of fate, he lost control under braking, slid on treacherous mud, and slammed into a tree. The impact left his Hyundai stricken, blocking the stage and forcing the red flag for the drivers behind.

This devastating moment came at the worst possible time for Hyundai. With Thierry Neuville nursing mechanical issues and unable to fight at full strength, the responsibility to fend off Toyota fell squarely on Mikkelsen’s shoulders. Instead, the crash has handed the momentum to their rivals.


Hyundai’s Lead Shrinks as Toyota Smells Blood

Hyundai entered Rally Japan with a slim 15-point lead over Toyota in the manufacturers’ championship. However, after Mikkelsen’s exit and Neuville’s continued struggles, that gap has shrunk to just 11 points. Toyota capitalized on Hyundai’s misfortunes with Takamoto Katsuta delivering a steady performance, backing teammate Elfyn Evans, who sits second overall.


Tänak Stays Cool Under Pressure

While Hyundai reels from its double blow, Ott Tänak remains the lone bright spot for the team. The Estonian delivered a masterclass in consistency, extending his lead over Toyota’s Evans to 13.7 seconds. However, Tänak’s focus will now be on damage control as Hyundai’s chances of retaining their title grow increasingly slim.


Neuville’s Power Problems Add to the Drama

As if Mikkelsen’s crash wasn’t enough, Hyundai’s championship leader Thierry Neuville found himself battling his own demons. Midway through SS5, his car suffered a power issue that sapped performance and left him limping through the stage. Neuville now sits a distant third, 31 seconds off the lead, with no service stop available to fix the problem until the evening.

“I don’t know what’s wrong—no power,” a dejected Neuville told reporters after the stage.


The Road Ahead: Can Hyundai Salvage Their Campaign?

With two days of rallying still to go, Hyundai faces an uphill battle. Toyota, sensing an opportunity, is closing in fast, with Evans and Katsuta providing a formidable one-two punch. Meanwhile, Tänak’s efforts to hold the lead will be crucial in preventing further damage.

For Hyundai, the clock is ticking, and any further slip-ups could hand Toyota the championship on a silver platter. Rally Japan, known for its unpredictability, is once again living up to its reputation—and the stakes have never been higher.

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