Shocking, A veteran WRC driver explains why Thierry Neuville has little chance of winning the title. He should retire.

The World Rally Championship (WRC) is one of the most challenging motorsport series on the planet, testing the skill, endurance, and adaptability of drivers across various terrains and extreme conditions. Winning a WRC Drivers’ Championship is a rare achievement that requires not just speed but also consistency, mental strength, and the ability to seize crucial moments.

However, a recent statement from a veteran WRC driver has stirred controversy, suggesting that Thierry Neuville has little to no chance of ever winning the WRC title and that he should consider retiring.

Neuville, a Belgian rally star, has been one of the most prominent figures in WRC for over a decade. A key part of Hyundai Motorsport’s ambitions, he has proven himself as one of the fastest drivers in the championship. But despite his numerous podiums, stage wins, and title challenges, he has never been able to capture the championship trophy.

Is this criticism justified? Is Neuville simply unlucky, or is there something fundamental preventing him from winning the title? Let’s take a deep dive into his career, the claims made against him, and what the future might hold for him.

1. Thierry Neuville: A Career of Unfulfilled Potential

1.1 A Promising Start in WRC

Thierry Neuville entered the WRC scene in the early 2010s, making his mark with Citroën before moving to M-Sport Ford in 2013. His breakthrough came in 2014, when he signed with Hyundai as their leading driver, a role he has maintained ever since.

From the beginning, he showed great pace and promise. His aggressive driving style and commitment on every stage quickly made him a fan favorite. But rallying is not just about raw speed—it’s about strategy, risk management, and capitalizing on opportunities.

1.2 Five Times a Runner-Up

Despite being in contention multiple times, Neuville has finished second in the championship five times (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019). This statistic alone paints a clear picture: he has had multiple golden opportunities to win a title, yet he has always fallen short.

His most heartbreaking defeat came in 2018, when he led the championship for most of the season, only to lose out in the final rounds due to costly mistakes and poor performances under pressure. Sébastien Ogier, known for his relentless consistency, capitalized on Neuville’s errors to steal the title away.

For many, 2018 was the year Neuville should have cemented his place in WRC history. Instead, it reinforced the narrative that he lacks the mentality of a true champion.

2. A Veteran WRC Driver’s Brutal Verdict

2.1 “He Cracks Under Pressure”

A former WRC champion, who has competed at the highest level, made a scathing assessment of Neuville’s career:

“Neuville is one of the fastest guys in WRC, but when it really matters, he just can’t handle the pressure. He has had multiple chances, and every single time, he has crumbled.”

This statement is backed by years of evidence. In 2017, Neuville was poised to challenge Ogier for the title but made multiple unforced errors in crucial rallies. In 2018, he collapsed under pressure in the final rounds. The same pattern repeated in 2019, as he failed to match Ott Tänak’s relentless charge to the title.

This inability to perform in decisive moments separates great drivers from world champions. The likes of Sébastien Loeb, Sébastien Ogier, and Kalle Rovanperä have shown that when the stakes are highest, they deliver under pressure—something Neuville has consistently failed to do.

2.2 “Too Many Unforced Errors”

While every rally driver makes mistakes, Neuville’s errors often come at the worst possible time. The veteran WRC driver elaborated:

“Every champion has made mistakes, but they learn from them. Neuville keeps repeating the same errors. Whether it’s misjudging a braking point or pushing too hard when he doesn’t need to, his decision-making under pressure is poor.”

His crashes in Monte Carlo (2017), Sardinia (2018), and Turkey (2019) all serve as reminders of his inability to manage risk effectively. Instead of playing the long game, he often pushes too hard, leading to avoidable retirements or lost points.

2.3 “Hyundai is Wasting Their Time”

Neuville has been Hyundai’s number-one driver since 2014, yet the team has never won a Drivers’ Championship with him. The veteran driver questioned Hyundai’s long-term strategy:

“At some point, Hyundai must ask themselves: do they keep hoping Neuville will win, or do they look elsewhere? How many more seasons will they waste?”

Hyundai has enjoyed success in the Manufacturers’ Championship, but their inability to secure a Drivers’ Championship is a major stain on their legacy. With younger, more composed talents like Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, and Adrien Fourmaux emerging, Hyundai may soon need to make a tough decision regarding Neuville’s future.

3. Should Thierry Neuville Retire?

3.1 The Age Factor: Is He Past His Prime?

At 36 years old, Neuville is entering the twilight of his career. In contrast, Kalle Rovanperä won his first WRC title at just 22 years old, proving that a new generation is taking over.

While Neuville is still competitive, history shows that drivers in their mid-to-late 30s often decline. If he has not won a title by now, what are the chances he ever will?

3.2 Is Hyundai Ready to Move On?

With Ott Tänak returning to Hyundai and younger drivers rising through the ranks, Neuville may no longer be the team’s best hope for a title. If Hyundai finds a better alternative, he could soon be replaced.

3.3 Legacy vs. Desperation

Neuville’s career could go down in history in two ways:

• As one of the greatest drivers never to win a title, or
• As someone who overstayed his welcome, desperately clinging to a fading dream.

If he continues to fall short, his legacy may suffer, and his reputation may decline. Retiring now could allow him to walk away with dignity.

4. The Verdict: A Difficult Future Ahead

Neuville remains one of WRC’s fastest and most exciting drivers. However, his repeated failures, mental fragility, and inconsistency under pressure suggest that he may never win a WRC title.

With younger, more composed drivers dominating the sport, his chances are slipping away. If he fails again in 2025, Hyundai may finally move on, leaving him without a top seat.

Will Neuville prove his critics wrong and finally win the WRC championship? Or is this veteran WRC driver’s brutal assessment a harsh but true reality?