Neuville's journey to Championship success a long and bumpy one

Passau - Thierry Neuville (right) can finally clinch his first World Rally drivers title at 36 tomorrow in the season's penultimate Central European Rally after a long and bumpy 15-year ride that has repeatedly highlighted the Belgian's dogged determination.

Here AFP looks at three factors that have shaped his long drive towards the individual title.

Near misses

Neuville made his debut at the Rally of Catalunya at the end of 2009, aged 21. He did not finish. After starting as a privateer, followed by a spell with Citroen, he joined the Qatar rally team.

In 2013, he recorded his first podium, finishing the season with four second places and three thirds, and as a distant runner-up in the standings behind his nemesis Sebastien Ogier. Neuville switched to Hyundai in 2014 and recorded his first win in Germany.