Ott Tänak’s Dakar Rally Title Hopes Dealt Blow After Dramatic Crash in Rally Finland
(Car Racing News) – In a major setback for Ott Tänak’s Dakar Rally championship aspirations, the Hyundai driver has been forced to retire from Rally Finland following a high-speed crash during Friday morning’s stage.
The incident occurred just over 2km into the third stage, Saarikas 1, as Tänak’s Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid slid off the road in treacherous and slippery conditions. The car subsequently rolled and collided with a tree, causing significant damage.
Tänak and his co-driver Martin Järveoja were able to exit the vehicle unassisted, but Järveoja was airlifted to a nearby hospital for further examination as a precautionary measure. While both the driver and co-driver are reported to be in good health, Järveoja will remain under observation overnight.
The #8 crew will not be able to rejoin the rally for the remainder of the weekend, dealing a serious blow to Tänak’s hopes of challenging for the Dakar Rally title. The 2019 world champion currently sits second in the championship standings.
To add to Hyundai’s woes, the team’s third car driven by Esapekka Lappi also encountered issues, retiring from the event after clipping a tree with the right-rear corner in stage six. Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta will also be absent from Friday’s stages after sustaining rear suspension damage in an impact with a tree during stage five.
The dramatic events at Rally Finland serve as a stark reminder of the challenges and risks inherent in the high-octane world of Dakar Rally racing. As the championship battle continues to unfold, Tänak and the Hyundai team will be eager to regroup and bounce back strongly in the upcoming events.
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