Tänak preserves championship chances after Chile: "Everything is still to play for"

A bittersweet result for Ott Tänak at the end of this Rally from Chile. The Estonian certainly got a podium, but was unable to worry the Toyota of Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans, who was on two wins in as many participations in Chile. Of course, he was the one who signed the best operation from an accounting point of view with 20 points, but he took back "only" 5 points from the leader of the championship, Thierry Neuville, and 8 points on Sébastien Ogier.

Result: the taciturn Estonian driver was mixed at the finish of the South American event, he who hoped for much better on a rally that he had dominated since 2019. "It's hard to take many positives from this weekend. We were a bit lucky that Ogier was in trouble on Friday, but apart from that we couldn't do anything to fight the Toyotas., he regrets. We gave our all in the Rally Chile and we scored everything we could."

Tänak not a favourite on asphalt?

In a press conference, the 2019 world champion quickly discussed his title chances. Although weak, with a still significant 29-point deficit with two rallies to go in the championship, Ott Tänak stressed that he and Sébastien Ogier are still in the running and that he is not giving up on winning a second world crown. “It was a nice rally, but we didn’t find the feeling to fully enjoy it this year. However, we made the most of this opportunity. As for the title race, we are both still in the running (with Sébastien Ogier). Everything is still to play for.”

At the next round, the Central Europe Rally, Thierry Neuville will have a second match point and could be crowned champion if he scores two more points than his teammate (and if he does not concede ten points to Sébastien Ogier). The next two rounds will be on asphalt, a surface generally more favourable to Thierry Neuville and Sébastien Ogier. "We will now take part in two tarmac rallies and, under normal circumstances, our road position should be favourable to us, underlines the Estonian, who also recalls that Hyundai is not yet assured of world titleThe fight for the constructors' title is not over yet, but we have to work hard to get it."

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