Tanak Surprised by WRC Rally Chile Performance Following Initial Struggles
Ott Tanak expressed surprise at competing for Rally Chile victory after struggles on Friday, leading Toyota’s Elfyn Evans by a slim margin. Despite trailing after an adjustment to Evans’ time, he adapted his car setup to build confidence. Thierry Neuville, in contrast, faced significant difficulties due to a poor setup, impacting his performance. As challenges continue, both Hyundai drivers aim to improve their standings.
Ott Tanak expressed his surprise at competing for victory during the WRC Rally Chile, having initially deemed his chances slim following struggles on Friday. The 2019 world champion, driving for Hyundai, ended the day leading Toyota’s Elfyn Evans by a narrow margin of 0.4 seconds at the conclusion of the day’s six stages. However, he will enter Saturday three seconds behind Evans, as rally officials revised Evans’ notional time from stage one, granting him the rally lead. Despite facing significant challenges with the setup of his Hyundai i20 N on the slippery gravel roads, Tanak adapted by making continuous adjustments which ultimately restored his confidence, enabling him to ascend to the top of the timesheets. He noted, “I definitely am surprised to be in this position – after the first stage I said to the engineers that a top six or top eight is the maximum, it was not driving at all.” Tanak acknowledged that while he had improved slightly, he was not yet entirely comfortable with the vehicle, commenting on the difficulties he and others in the team faced throughout the day. The challenges for Saturday are expected to be significantly different due to a change in road conditions that will increase tyre management’s importance. Tanak recalled his previous success under similar conditions last year with M-Sport, expressing optimism despite uncertain tyre performance. In contrast, fellow Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville attributed his performance woes to poor car setup rather than the conditions. Starting first on the road, he finished in sixth place, over thirty seconds off the pace. Neuville stated, “I think we were just on the wrong set-up as I cannot explain how I could’ve struggled that much out there.” With clear objectives ahead, both Tanak and Neuville seek to improve their standings as the rally progresses, showcasing a classic fight within the team amid the competitive landscape still dominated by Toyota.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) is a highly competitive motorsport series, where drivers navigate challenging terrains. The Rally Chile presents unique challenges with its gravel roads, demanding exceptional vehicle handling and strategic setup. Ott Tanak, a former world champion, and Thierry Neuville, the current championship leader, represent the Hyundai World Rally Team. Both drivers experienced varying degrees of difficulty with their vehicles during the initial stages of the rally. Tanak, despite starting with low expectations, found himself in a position to win, whereas Neuville struggled significantly with his setup, impacting his performance.
In summary, Ott Tanak’s performance at the WRC Rally Chile surprised him as he unexpectedly contended for the victory after facing challenges on the first day. His persistence in adjusting his car setup paid off, while Thierry Neuville struggled with his vehicle’s performance, attributing it to a setup error. As the rally progresses, both drivers aim to advance their standings amidst changing road conditions and the necessity for effective tyre management. This interplay highlights the tension and competitiveness inherent in the WRC.
Original Source: www.autosport.com
