Belgian Thierry Neuville is World Rally Champion for the first time. The 36-year-old Hyundai driver finished the last WRC round of the year in Japan in sixth place.
His main rival Ott Tänak from Estonia, who was in the lead, retired in an accident on the first special stage of the day. The 2019 world champion would have had to make up 25 points on his brand colleague at the season finale in the Nagoya area.
Neuville shook off his reputation as the eternal runner-up. Over the past decade, the Belgian has narrowly missed out on the title several times - he finished second in the WRC in 2013 and 2016 to 2019. He is now the successor to Finland's Kalle Rovanperä. "We were very close so often. We have always given everything, but this year we have been rewarded," said Neuville, who has led the WRC since his opening victory in Monte Carlo.
SDA
