Hyundai Motorsport has produced a special behind-the-scenes documentary charting Thierry Neuville’s run to a maiden World Rally Championship title.
Titled “Never just win”, the film has been produced in-house by Hyundai Motorsport, led by the team’s videographer Sebastian Scott and has today been released on YouTube.
The documentary offers rare insights into the 2024 WRC season as Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe overcome title challenges from Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier and Hyundai team-mate Ott Tanak.
Closely following what will be remembered as a vintage WRC title fight, the film takes the viewer on a beautifully-documented journey through the 13-round season while venturing deep into the inner sanctum of the Hyundai Motorsport camp.
Neuville provides a candid look back at some of the challenges he has faced across an 11-year journey with the Korean marque that has ultimately led him to the world title this year. The team’s departing WRC programme manager Christian Loriaux described the season as a “now or never” moment for Neuville.
Neuville’s relentless fight for success is a main story arch as the Belgian explains how 'every hard time made him stronger’.
Neuville’s co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe is also on hand to provide some of the storytelling including an emotional interview where he explains a pacenote error that cost the pair victory in Croatia.
The film not only focuses on the drivers, with a fair share of the limelight afforded to Hyundai team members including Neuville’s long-time race engineer Stephan Siepler and Tanak’s engineer Jamie McMillan.
It also provides a window into the management of the squad provided by team principal Cyril Abiteboul, who reveals a love of skateboarding. Perhaps one of the most eye-opening scenes in the documentary involves Abiteboul as he angrily reacts to Tanak’s shock crash at the Rally Japan that effectively cost Hyundai the chance to score the manufacturers’ crown.
Aside from the rigours of competition, the film also goes behind the scenes with Neuville and Tanak and their families while there is even a cameo from newly crowned four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.
