Thierry Neuville is World Rally Champion after dramatic finale for Ott Tänak

Thierry Neuville has clinched his first World Rally Championship title. Early this Sunday, Ott Tänak crashed out of Rally Japan, sealing the Belgian’s path to the crown.

To become champion, the Estonian Hyundai driver needed to score at least 26 points more than his teammate, who was leading the championship. Despite being hindered on Friday by car troubles, Neuville staged an impressive comeback to seventh place on Saturday, making Tänak’s task significantly harder.

Sunday started poorly for Neuville, who again experienced hybrid system issues with his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 during the opening stage of the day (Nukata 1, SS17). However, near the end of that same stage, disaster struck Tänak, just as he was nearing the finish line.

The Estonian went off the road and ended up in a ditch, colliding with Heikki Kovalainen’s car shortly afterward. Fortunately, no one was injured, but for Tänak, it marked the end of his title aspirations. Neuville was crowned champion regardless of the remaining rally stages.