The 2022 World Rally Championship came to a close with Rally Japan, where the series’ two manufacturer-backed teams of Hyundai and Toyota came together for one final contest before the short close season.
There are some sporting fixtures where you just know that things are going to get feisty, given the history between the sides and their fans. United v Liverpool or Celtic v Rangers – the big derby matches.
But Korea v Japan makes that little lot look like squabbles at a children’s tea party. So it was that when Thierry Neuville mischievously emphasised that he would “love” to win Rally Japan during the pre-event media sessions, he spoke not only as a rally driver, but also as captain of the Korean national WRC team.
To say that Toyota had the home
