It’s been a long time since Ott Tänak (Hyundai) had such a great season in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The Estonian recorded at the RallyYpres (Belgium) his third victory of the 2022 season. You have to go back to his world title season in 2019 with Toyota to find such statistics.

“Winning here is a bit surprising, as for the Rally Finland », declares the one who strengthens his second position in the general classification of Drivers. “It’s good to see that the results are starting to come our way. There is still a lot of work to improve the car, we could be really faster than that. »

Overwhelmed during second stage. Elfyn Evans (Toyota) tried to catch up with the Hyundai i20 hybrid until the Power Stage, without success. The third step of the podium is occupied by Esapekka Lappi (Toyota), who passed between the various accidents.

Fourth position is occupied by the young Oliver Solberg (Hyundai). The son of 2003 world champion Petter Solberg signs his best performance in the WRC. Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) is fifth.

Disaster for Fourmaux

For the M-Sport Ford team, and more precisely for Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux, this ordeal turned into a nightmare. Perceived as one of the outsiders thanks to his success in 2019 and three podiums before the Ypres Rally became part of the world calendar, Craig Breen took off on Saturday, as he moved up a gear.

Adrien Fourmaux took over in order to bring back valuable points to Malcolm Wilson and Richard Millener. The Northerner, supported by his childhood friends and family in Flanders, was instructed not to tickle Oliver Solberg and to settle for fifth place.

Falling ill during the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Frenchman began the last stage with full force, until going off the road in the penultimate SS and abandoning. “Yes, he has been ill since last night, but the objective today was very clear, declared his team principal, Richard Millener. JI don't know what else to say, we have to wait for things to settle down and analyze it cold. »

A connoisseur of Belgian roads (he leads the national championship), Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën) dominated the WRC2 class. The 30-year-old Frenchman, who had not been seen in the World Cup since Croatia last April, beat Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda) and Yohan Rossel (Citroën).

For the native of Nœux-les-Mines (Pas-de-Calais), it is a deliverance; his last success at this level dates back to Monte-Carlo 2015! “I am so proud of this result. I have to thank the entire DG Sport Compétition team for this performance. »

Final general classification:

Drivers Championship:

Manufacturers' Championship:

Ott Tänak (Hyundai) is the winner of the 2022 Ypres Rally! The Estonian finished this special with the 3rd time, 3″ behind Rovanperä.