Ott Tänak: “We were consistent”

His little mistake on SS1 last Friday had no consequences on the final performance ofOtt Tänak. The pilot Toyota largely mastered his subject throughout the following three days in Wales to claim a victory at Wales Rally GB which could be of capital importance in view of his first world title.

Author of seven scratch times, best total of the event with Elfyn Evans (M-Sport Ford), the Estonian nevertheless admits to having aimed for regularity to initially make up for his initial deficit before dominating the competition.

“Every SS finished had really small gaps and it was difficult to come back, underlines the championship leader. It's always a challenge. I didn't make any more mistakes and came back slowly. Yesterday (Saturday), I didn't win any stage in the forest nor on Friday, we were consistent. »

Holder of 28 points ahead of Sébastien Ogier (Citroën), Tänak could win the title at the end of October at Rally of Catalonia, penultimate round of the WRC 2019. For the Toyota driver, his Yaris WRC constitutes an ideal weapon to aim for the leading roles on the Catalan mixed terrain.

“We know it might be a little difficult on the first day because we will be opening the road, recalls the former M-Sport Ford driver. It always depends on the weather.

Last year we noticed that it rained a lot and that could be a game-changer. Performance-wise, I think we're ok and we can fight. »

Sixty points can still be scored in the Drivers' standings. If Ott Tänak therefore scores two points more than Sébastien Ogier in Spain and/or Neuville does not take back 11 points from the Toyota driver, the matter will be heard on the evening of the Catalunya Rally.

Discover the full report and analysis of Wales Rally GB, produced by our special correspondent in Wales, in issue 2237 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.