In a career-defining moment at Rally Japan 2024, Thierry Neuville etched his name into the annals of motorsport history by clinching his maiden World Rally Championship. The culmination of years of relentless effort and countless battles, Neuville’s crowning moment was not just a testament to his skill but also his resilience in a season fraught with challenges.
Here’s the full, unfiltered interview with Neuville, conducted moments after his coronation. The emotions, the struggles, and the joy of achieving a lifelong dream – this is the story of a champion.
“This One’s for the Team, the Fans, and Myself”
Q: Thierry Neuville, World Rally Champion – how does it feel?
Neuville: I still feel good; that’s definitely the case. It’s a big reward for all the hard work we’ve put into this fight—not just this year, but all the years before, especially the last few with Martijn. We’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this dream, and finally, it’s come true.
The Rollercoaster of Rally Japan
Q: Today was intense from start to finish. Can you sum up the emotions?
Neuville: It was tough—honestly, not just today, but the whole season. Coming here, we had a nice advantage, and the plan was clear. But after just three stages, the turbo failed, and emotions went everywhere.
Still, we kept calm, stayed positive, and fought back. We climbed into the points on Saturday—P7 wasn’t even expected. Then, at 8:15 a.m. today, I got the news: I was world champion.
It was a whirlwind of emotions—joy, relief, and disappointment that we didn’t clinch the manufacturers’ title. But we gave it everything, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.
The Moment of Realization
Q: How did you find out you were champion?
Neuville: I was changing a tire when I got a call from Florian, my assistant. He never calls me, so I had no idea what it was about. When I answered, he said, “You’re world champion.”
I couldn’t believe it. I asked, “Are you sure?” and he confirmed that Ott [Tänak] went off. Of course, that was bad news for the manufacturers’ battle, but I told Martijn, “We’re world champions.” We hugged, regrouped, and focused on giving everything for the team.
The Mindset of a Champion
Q: How did you push aside the emotions and keep driving flat out?
Neuville: It wasn’t easy, but it was important to fight for both titles. The manufacturers’ title meant a lot to the team, and we wanted to give it our all.
Even though we didn’t win it, we ended the season in style with 11 out of 12 power stage points. We drove at great speed, and honestly, I had a lot of fun today.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Q: This season has been incredible. Were there moments you thought it might slip away?
Neuville: Not really. We stayed in the lead most of the year, only dropping under a 10-point advantage once. But it wasn’t easy.
The first part of the season was all about pushing hard and securing good road positions for Sundays. Then, in the middle of the year, I struggled mentally. But by Finland and Greece, we turned things around and managed our advantage well.
The Hardest Battles
Q: Rallies like Sardinia and Safari must have been mentally draining.
Neuville: Sardinia was tough, but we still walked away with 12 points. Latvia was actually the worst in terms of points.
But Sundays were key. We had to go flat out in the first half of the season to maximize points. Every day was a challenge—staying on the road Friday, securing road position Saturday, and going full throttle Sunday.
A Message for the Team
Q: What’s your message to the team after such a season?
Neuville: I think we did everything we could. The car’s performance was stable, and reliability was strong until Friday morning. The whole team—our new structure, Cyril [Abiteboul], Christian Loriaux—worked hard, and this title is for all of them.
Looking Ahead
Q: How will life change now that you’re world champion?
Neuville: I don’t know yet. I think the pressure is gone, and I’ll probably enjoy next year more. I’ve always said we’ve had a great career with plenty of wins and podiums. Now, with this championship, it feels complete.
Relief and Reflection
Q: How does it feel to have that “monkey off your back”?
Neuville: It’s a huge relief. I’ve always fought as hard as I could and never regretted anything. But this championship—it’s everything. It’s a great achievement and something I’ll carry with me forever.
The Journey to the Summit
Thierry Neuville’s path to the 2024 World Rally Championship was anything but smooth, yet he navigated every twist and turn with unwavering determination. From his turbo failure in Japan to his Sunday surges throughout the season, Neuville proved why he’s a deserving champion.
As the dust settles on an unforgettable season, Neuville’s words resonate: “I’ll enjoy it more, but my goal will always be to be the best.”
The champion’s journey continues, but for now, the world is his to celebrate.
