WRC
To avoid a 5-minute penalty, Ott Tänak will not score a point for Hyundai at the CER
At the CER, Ott Tänak will have a new engine to continue believing in the title (Photo: Nikos Katikis/DPPI)
At the end of rally from Chile, Ott Tänak had a hard time hiding his displeasure. He had good reason to complain. During the weekend, he had managed to climb to the front before his engine stopped working in the last special on Friday. Starting again the next day, he had taken the one used in Sweden. As soon as he got into the i20, there were doubts about his ability to finish the event. Indeed, in Umeå, in February, this "sedan" had already shown signs of weakness. In order not to hit it too hard, the Estonian only faced 2 time trials during Saturday in the Bio-Bio, preferring to save what remained of his valour to line up on Sunday and aim for the rewards of the last day (3rd stage and Power Stage). With a car gradually losing power, he had only saved one point.
Replacing this "Chilean" engine to compete in Central Europe should have been accompanied by a 5-minute penalty before the first kilometer of the race, according to the regulations which stipulate that only 2 engines can be used during the season (article 17.1.1), which would have condemned Tänak to a near-impossible attempt at a comeback. Above all, it would have definitively ended his title chances.
Before the launch of this 12e round (October 16-19), these latter are not enormous, but they still exist mathematically. With 43 points behind Sébastien Ogier, the 2019 world champion will have to benefit from (very) favorable circumstances if he wants to add a 2e crown on the mantelpiece of his house on the island of Saaremaa. However, it is the only card that remains to Hyundai to try to win a title in 2025. With 125 units to go on Toyota, the Korean brand can already look ahead to 2026 in this competition, but there remains a tiny possibility with Tänak among the Drivers.
To receive a new engine without being penalized, Ott will not be nominated by his employer to score points at the three events on the program (CER, Japan and Saudi Arabia). Will this small maneuver allow him to come and threaten Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä who are better placed than him? The answer will be in about twenty days.
ALSO READ > Rally Italy will go to Rome in 2027
Loïc ROCCI
Journalist specializing in rallying past, present and future... and with a southern accent
-
Collector's item Renault 5 Turbo
11,90€ NEW -
7,90€ INDISPENSABLE -
Collector Ferrari Legendary Duos
11,90€ NEW
Continue reading on these topics:
Read also
Yves-Henri RANDIER
25/09/2025 at 01:16 a.m.
Legal tampering, that makes you wonder! Let's hope that Toyota will win both titles even if some of its drivers are only temporary, luxury ones certainly! It's time to really take care of the WRC to make it more attractive... but what is MBS doing?
Olivier
24/09/2025 at 10:40 a.m.
And Ogier's partial season (with well-chosen rallies) which allows him to still be champion, is it good for the image of the WRC? The image of the WRC has been destroyed by the authorities... not by Abiteboul who wants to save the situation.
Tibus
24/09/2025 at 10:20 a.m.
Always Abitboul's little tricks... Is this good for the image of the WRC, which is always looking for a buyer and participants?