Tänak wins again in WRC: “It was a very difficult time”

How long was this wait for Ott Tänak. In difficulty at the start of the season and often unlucky last year when mechanical problems did not spare him, the Estonian won the Rally of Sardinia this Sunday ending a drought of 13 rallies without a victory, its longest series between two successes. The last time the 2019 world champion was on the top step of the podium was at the Arctic Rally in February 2021. An eternity for him.

« It was a very difficult time, especially since the start of the hybrid era, confided Ott Tänak who offered Hyundai his first victory in said era. We are really very happy, especially for the mechanics. They put in an incredible effort all last year, but also since the start of this season. This rally was not easy and they did a good job on the car. We have taken steps forward. We were really struggling in Portugal and we managed to improve. If the trust is there, we can do good work. We just have to keep working »

In Sardinia, Ott Tänak did not have to deal with a capricious and feverish i20 unlike his recent outings. The Hyundai driver indeed took advantage of the misfortunes of the representatives Toyota, Elfyn Evans and Esapekka Lappi, and Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) this time to impose its law on Sardinian lands. But credit also goes to the name of the Estonian who impressed with his pace by winning 9 of the 21 special stages at stake (10 if we count SS17 where he was credited with a fixed time identical to that of Kalle Rovanperä, the fastest man in the special, after the red flag caused by the exit of the roadAdrien fourmaux) before pushing back his closest pursuer Craig Breen (M-Sport) more than a minute away.

Ultimately untouchable, Ott Tänak went for his 15th success in the World Rally Championship, the 2nd in Sardinia, where he had scored the first victory of his career. Like a sign. To celebrate this return to the forefront, the native of Kärla treated himself to champagne and enjoyed a good Italian ice cream.

Taste of victory! 🍦🇮🇹🤌 pic.twitter.com/gCJSTs7pVQ

— Ott Tänak (@OttTanak) June 5, 2022

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