Thierry Neuville stands on the brink of his first World Rally Championship title at 36, poised to claim victory at the Central European Rally this Sunday. His journey to this moment has been marked by persistence and resilience over 15 years, showcasing his unwavering determination in a highly competitive sport.
Neuville made his debut in the Rally of Catalunya in 2009 at just 21, but his early years were challenging, marked by a lack of finishes. After a stint with Citroen and later the Qatar rally team, he achieved his first podium in 2013, concluding that season as the runner-up behind Sebastien Ogier. Transitioning to Hyundai in 2014, he secured his first victory in Germany.
Despite consistently finishing as a runner-up from 2016 to 2019, and placing third in the subsequent seasons, Neuville’s five overall second-place finishes stand as a record in the WRC. While he has 21 wins to his name, which places him eighth in the all-time rankings, he remains without an individual championship title, unlike his peers with similar victory counts.
Neuville's career has been characterized by a remarkable tenacity, as he has overcome numerous setbacks on the road. Notably, in 2014, he turned a disastrous crash into his first victory at the Germany Rally, demonstrating his ability to rebound from adversity. His resourcefulness was on display when he improvised a solution to a radiator issue using a spectator's beer in Mexico, finishing third.
More recently, in 2022, Neuville and his co-driver pushed their car 800 meters to the service park after experiencing an alternator failure, earning a penalty for their late arrival but still finishing in third place. If successful this weekend, Neuville would not only be the first Belgian to win the rally title but also break new ground for his nation in the sport.
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