Thierry Neuville’s march to his first World Rally Championship title has taken a dramatic twist at Rally Japan, as persistent power issues in his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 threaten to derail his campaign. Despite a commanding 25-point lead over teammate Ott Tänak, Neuville now faces an uphill battle after slipping to third due to mechanical woes.
Morning Misery: Power Problems Strike
Neuville’s day started strong, with the Belgian firmly positioned in second place after three stages, a result more than sufficient to secure his maiden championship. But disaster struck midway through SS4, the final stage of the morning loop, as his car began losing power. He dropped 40 seconds to his rivals, slipping to third behind Tänak and Elfyn Evans.
With no midday service available, hopes of resolving the issue before the afternoon stages were dashed. Neuville himself confirmed the problem persisted as he prepared to tackle the second half of the day.
“No, unfortunately not,” he admitted when asked if the issue had been fixed. “It is what it is. Obviously not what we were looking for. Now the hard work throughout the year gets even more valuable with that 25-point lead in a situation like this.”
Hyundai’s Strategy Shift
Hyundai has been forced to adapt quickly to the setback. Rally organizers granted Tänak a five-minute gap ahead of Neuville on the afternoon stages—an adjustment from the usual three-minute interval—presumably to avoid any impact on Tänak’s pace as Neuville continues at reduced speed.
For Tänak, who currently leads the rally by 13.7 seconds over Evans, the focus has shifted to defending Hyundai’s manufacturers’ championship hopes as well as keeping his slim personal title chances alive.
Neuville’s Grit Tested
Despite the adversity, Neuville remains determined to see out the weekend and secure the title that has eluded him for years. His 25-point cushion provides some breathing room, but with two full days of rallying still ahead, any further issues could invite unexpected challenges.
“This is where the hard work throughout the year pays off,” Neuville said, signaling his resolve to fight through the difficulties.
What’s Next?
The afternoon stages will test Neuville’s resilience and Hyundai’s ability to adapt under pressure. Tänak, meanwhile, carries the weight of Hyundai’s manufacturers’ championship ambitions, as rival Toyota looms just 11 points behind.
As Rally Japan unfolds, the stakes are higher than ever. For Neuville, the dream of clinching his first WRC title now hinges on endurance and a little bit of luck in the face of mechanical adversity.