After two rounds of the season, Neuville leads the championship with a three-point advantage over Elfyn Evans. In the opening rally in Monte Carlo, Neuville drove to an impressive victory, and in Sweden, he secured fourth place.
Check the full World Rally Championship standings here.
Neuville has never celebrated a World Rally Championship title in his career. Instead, he has collected five runner-up finishes and three third places.
Based on the opening races of the season, Neuville is one of the strongest championship favourites this year.
“This could be my last year in WRC, so I’ll give it my all once again to try and secure it,” Neuville declared in an interview with the French magazine Autohebdo.
Neuville, 35, has hinted at retiring before. For example, last fall, he told the Belgian broadcaster RTBF that he might not participate in the 2025 season.
However, since then, Neuville has somewhat softened his statements. Therefore, Neuville’s latest revelation is at least surprising.
Hyundai has made significant investments in its team. Ott Tänak was recruited as Neuville’s teammate, and efforts have been made to make their rally car, the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, more reliable.
Additionally, Hyundai’s team principal Cyril Abiteboul has stated that this year Hyundai is particularly aiming for the drivers’ world championship, which the team has not previously achieved.
“I feel the tool is there, so we’re going to give everything to achieve it, especially if I’m stopping afterward. It’d be great to leave with a title.”
Neuville’s contract is expiring this year. Until now, it has been considered likely that the Belgian would sign a new contract with Hyundai.
The guidelines issued by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) have led Neuville to ponder his future. In February, the WRC working group announced that, for example, hybrid units will be removed from Rally1 cars after this season, and the cars’ performance will be limited by other changes as well.
“A lot has happened in recent weeks. Nothing is clear today. What’s happened can make me reconsider my desires, but also the opportunities.”
