What is Ott Tänak's favorite rally car?

The cars of our childhood mark our imagination. This adage is verified once again when the World Rally Championship (WRC) asked Ott Tänak (Hyundai) quelle était sa voiture de rally favorite.

The Estonian chose the Ford Focus RS WRC 03, and for good reason: it was driven by national star Markko Märtin between 2003 and 2004. As a teenager, Ott Tänak dreamed of this car, without knowing that the first Estonian World Cup winner (five wins) would become his manager a few years later... 

“Markko played a fundamental role in the development of this car, specifies the 2019 world champion. Today he has one in his garage in Estonia. Driving with it is on my to-do list! Maybe when Markko is far away and I have the key to the garage (laughs)”

“It was the time when everything was more or less free (as for technical regulations and on-board technologies. Editor’s note). It was like an “active” car. I had the chance to take a little tour with her during a local event in Estonia. She behaves as if I were on a PlayStation.

It is so easy to handle. It does exactly what you ask of it. It almost didn't need a pilot! »

Introduite après les premières manches de la saison 2003, la Ford Focus RS WRC 03, construite par M-Sport sous le coup de crayon du Belge Christian Loriaux, se distinguait de sa grande soeur par l’implantation d’un énorme aileron arrière et d’un travail rigoureux sur l’aérodynamique. 

The center of gravity is also lowered. Some co-pilots like Stéphane Prévot (partner of François Duval) had also complained about the position of the seats flush with the daisies. 

The Focus engine, developed by Cosworth, is a 2 liter Duratec-R equipped with a Garrett turbo developing 300 horsepower. With an official weight of 1 kg, the report weight/power was only 0,24 hp/kg ! Without counting all the cutting-edge technology such as the active differential or ABS, the 2003 Focus version has nothing to envy with current mechanics.