Ott Tanak’s aspirations for the World Rally Championship title have taken another hit with the news that the Hyundai driver cannot rejoin Rally Finland after crashing on Friday morning.
The 2019 world champion lost control of his i20 N during stage three [Saarikas] in slippery conditions, resulting in a roll and subsequent collision with a tree.
Both Tanak and co-driver Martin Jarveoja escaped the vehicle before officials red-flagged the stage to allow medical teams to attend to the situation. While Tanak was unharmed, Jarveoja was transported to the hospital for further evaluation.
Hyundai confirmed that both individuals are “well,” though Jarveoja will spend the night in the hospital for observation. Consequently, the pair, currently ranked second in the championship standings, will withdraw entirely from the rally and will not be able to contend for Super Sunday points.
“While competing at Rally Finland, round nine of the FIA World Rally Championship season, Hyundai Motorsport’s Ott Tanak and Martin Jarveoja were involved in a crash on Friday morning during SS3 Saarikas 1,” stated Hyundai Motorsport.
Ott Tänak, Hyundai World Rally Team
Photo by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport
“Their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid slid off the track at high speed in challenging and slippery conditions just past 2km in the stage. The vehicle rolled and struck a tree. After the accident, Tanak and Järveoja managed to exit the car on their own, leading to an immediate red flag for the stage to allow medical services to respond.
“Both Tanak and Jarveoja promptly received attention from the medical team, with Jarveoja being airlifted to hospital for further assessment. Although both driver and co-driver are fine, Jarveoja will remain in hospital overnight for precautionary observation.
“As a result, the #8 crew will not return for the remainder of the Rally Finland event.”
Adding to Hyundai’s challenges, their third car also faced adversity during stage six, causing Esapekka Lappi to retire from fourth place.
Lappi seemed to graze a tree with the back-right corner, pulling the front end into the trees. The Finnish driver was able to drive the vehicle off the stage but ultimately retired from the race.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta will also miss Friday’s stages after having damaged his right-rear suspension due to an impact with a tree in stage five, preventing him from returning his GR Yaris to the Jyvaskyla service park.
“At the start of the stage, there was a sharp turn with some trees. I managed to brake adequately, but the rear slid out, causing me to go wide and hit the tree at the corner’s exit,” Katsuta explained.
“The wheel was nearly coming off, but we finished the stage. We made an attempt to fix it to return to service, but on the way, the wheel completely detached, leaving us on three wheels, and we couldn’t make it back.”
