5 Thierry Neuville (BEL)

Age: 28 WRC starts: 71 WRC wins: 2 WRC titles: 0 WRC podiums: 19 Co-driver: Nicolas Gilsoul (BEL) Twelve months ago, Thierry Neuville was on the verge of being talked of as a spent force. Not any more. Refreshed and revitalised after a much more sensible approach last season, the Belgian is a real threat going into this season – particularly if he can continue the sort of form he showed in the second half of 2016.