Elfyn Evans won the season-ending Rally Japan as Thierry Neuville wrapped up his first World Rally Championship (WRC) title.Belgian Neuville's overall victory was secured when Hyundai team-mate Ott Tanak crashed out on the final morning while leading the rally.

The newly crowned world rally champion believes his mental strength has been key to finally achieving his ultimate goal

Ott Tanak extended his Rally Japan lead on Saturday, but all eyes were on his Hyundai teammate, Thierry Neuville (above), as he vaulted up the leaderboard to put himself within touching distance

Ott Tanak and Martin Järveoja completed Saturday’s six stages with a healthy 36 second lead over Toyota’s Elfyn Evans and

Hyundai's Thierry Neuville secured his first world rally championship in Japan on Sunday as Toyota sealed the manufacturers' crown. The Belgian driver ended years of near-misses by finishing sixth after team mate and main rival Ott Tanak crashed out while leading on the day's opening stage.

Rally Japan 4 Update

After finishing runner-up on five occasions, Thierry Neuville can no longer be called the bridesmaid and has joined the exclusive club of World Rally champions. Here’s how the Belgian went from rising

Ott Tanak has dramatically crashed out of the lead of Rally Japan which has handed Thierry Neuville the World Rally Championship and swung the manufacturers title battle towards Toyota. Tanak started Sunday with a 38 second rally lead over Toyota’s Elfyn Evans which he needed to maintain to keep his WRC title hopes alive.