TANAK OUT TO ERASE THE MEMORIES OF 2018 HEARTBREAK
Toyota man promises to right the wrongs of last year’s retirement
Ott Tanak will begin the process of “finishing the job” of winning this year’s World Rally Championship in Wales this week.
The Estonian, who heads to Llandudno 17 points ahead of Sebastien Ogier and 30 clear of Thierry Neuville, will chase a maiden Welsh win, while erasing the painful memory of a Sweet Lamb retirement 12 months ago.
“With the speed we’ve shown in Wales, things should be OK,” Tanak told Motorsport News.
Asked about the 2018 issue which cost him victory, he said: “We have driven these kind of corners a few times and not had this problem, I think we can be pretty confident as a team [that it won’t happen again].”
Tanak retired after the sumpguard on his Yaris WRC dug in to the surface of the road and damaged the radiator on the second afternoon.
“We’re looking forward to this one. Rally GB is something special – I like these fast roads with a nice flow. You need to have the confidence in the car to deal with the conditions and the grip level changing in virtually every corner.”
Tanak, who is chasing his first title, said: “The gap in the championship is closer now, but we have three rallies to go and we know that we were fast on each of them last year. Now we just have to finish the job, starting in Wales.”
Ogier is Rally GB’S most successful driver ever, having won five of the past six events. He arrives in Wales on the back of victory last time out in Turkey.
He was clear in his intentions. He said: “The target at Wales GB will be to keep up the momentum from Turkey and continue to put as much pressure on Ott as possible. I’ve always done well at this rally. I’m determined to really go for it and have a say in the outcome, especially as the running order isn’t an issue for those starting at the front.”
Neuville is the only other driver capable of lifting this year’s title. He admitted he is up for breaking his Welsh duck too.
The Belgian said: “Wales Rally GB can be one of the wettest rallies on the calendar, so we have to be prepared for an eventful weekend. I’ve been on the podium a couple of times and I’m hoping to replicate that this year. The stages are quite flowing, very fast and we have some dark to light conditions too, which adds to the atmosphere. The itinerary is demanding with long days but it’s what Wales is known for and I’m ready for the challenge.”