Photo: Jakub Pojmicz
With only three rounds left until the end of the World Rally Championship (WRC) season, the question of where the leading WRC drivers will continue their careers is becoming more pressing every moment.
At the moment, it is known in the driver’s market that Thierry Neuville will continue his work in the Hyundai team, which has a contract with the Korean automaker. We recently reported that Toyota team leader Jari-Mati Latvala revealed that Hyundai was negotiating with his team’s drivers, including Kalli Rovanpera, but Latvala is sure that Kalle will remain in the Toyota unit. Several media believe that the driver market is currently waiting to see what Rovanpera will decide, because if Kalle, for example, switches to Hyundai, it can introduce significant adjustments to the driver market.
Of course, one of the biggest unknowns is what Ots Tanak will do next year. At least at the moment, his place in the Toyota unit is not foreseen (in the case of Rovanpera’s transfer to Hyundai, this may change), because, according to the Finnish media, Toyota has an “internal gentlemen’s agreement”, which stipulates that two WRC champions cannot compete in the Toyota team. Yes, Kalle and Sébastien Ogier are currently competing in this team, but the French driver is not doing a full season, and Ott is not interested in riding only individual stages next year, as Ogier is doing this year.
Photo: Vladislav Maschl
At the Greek rally, after another technical problem, Tanaks for the Estonian portal delfi.ee revealed that “You cannot drive to victory with this Ford Puma Rally1 car.” I’m pretty sure of that. This year has proven that. The lack of pace is obvious. This was the first rally where the suspension worked as it should. That was some progress. Everything else is still difficult.”
If last year Tanak did not know for a long time whether he would continue his career in 2023, now he has reconfirmed his intention to continue his rally career, despite the current unsuccessful season. Experts believe that if Tanak is already talking so openly about the next year, then it is likely that he may have already reached an agreement.
Let us remind you that last year Tanak quite openly criticized the Hyundai team in the second half of the season, which later culminated in him slamming the door quite loudly and leaving the Korean automaker. However, despite this, most believe (and this is also reported by an Italian portal) that Tanak will probably return to the Hyundai team, where its manager has previously revealed that he is looking for a fast driver who can fight for victories. The presence of Hyundai team leader Cyril Abiteboul is the key element for his team, and above all the team president, to understand that the presence of the best driver (Tanaka) is worth swallowing a few bitter pills after last season.
Obviously, nothing is certain at this point, so we just have to wait and see what winds will blow this fall or winter.
2023-09-13 22:02:54
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