Thierry Neuville, the first Belgian driver to win the World Rally Championship
With the drama continuing until the very end, the driver from Saint-Vith notched up the points needed in the final round of the WRC championship to claim his first world championship title.
Thierry Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe suffered serious engine problems during the 13th and final round of the World Rally Championship in Japan. The two Belgians remained focused, however, and climbed back up the rankings, taking advantage of an error by Estonia's Ott Tänak, their main rival for the world title.
At the age of 36, the Belgian driver can finally enjoy his first title in a rally career that has spanned more than a decade.
Thierry Neuville entered the elite class of the WRC (World Rally Championship) in 2012. He would have to wait two years before his first taste of victory at Rally Germany. Over the seasons, he won a total of 21 rounds of the World Rally Championship. But in the overall standings, he often finished third or even second, as in 2018 after an epic battle with Frenchman Sébastien Ogier.
A fantastic Thierry Neuville finally achieved World Rally Championship stardom, becoming the first Belgian to be crowned in this elite category.
Following Laurens Vanthoor's WEC title a few weeks ago, Belgium can be proud to have come out on top in two FIA world championships.