Ott Tanak’s Impressive Rally Chile Performance
Estonian driver Ott Tanak shocked many at the WRC Rally Chile with his impressive performance, overcoming challenges on Friday to fight for the victory. Initially counting himself out after a disappointing first stage, Tanak showed his resilience and skill to lead Toyota’s Elfyn Evans by a mere 0.4 seconds at the end of Friday’s six stages.
Despite starting second on the road, Tanak managed to find his groove and make necessary set-up adjustments to tame his Hyundai i20 N on the slippery gravel roads. Constant changes between stages allowed Tanak to gain confidence and secure his position at the top of the timesheets.
In a post-stage interview, Tanak expressed his surprise at his current standing, stating, “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, a two-time Chile winner, acknowledged the struggles he faced with the car and set-up but remained determined to push through.
Challenges Faced by Tanak and Neuville
While Tanak managed to overcome his initial difficulties, championship leader Thierry Neuville found himself struggling to keep up with the pace. Neuville, starting first on the road, ended Friday in sixth position, 30.3 seconds behind Tanak. The Belgian driver attributed his struggles to a set-up mistake, admitting that they were on the wrong path with the car adjustments.
Neuville expressed his frustration, saying, “I think we were just on the wrong set-up as I cannot explain how I could’ve struggled that much out there. The pace wasn’t there and the feeling wasn’t good.” Despite the setbacks, Neuville remained focused on improving his performance and aiming for higher positions in the competition.
Looking Ahead to Saturday’s Stages
As the rally progresses, the competitors are preparing to face a new challenge with the road surface becoming more abrasive. This shift will put a greater emphasis on tire management, a crucial factor in maintaining performance on the demanding stages. Tanak, who excelled in similar conditions last year, is optimistic about the upcoming challenges.
“The characteristics are completely different for sure…we should get more grip and much better road positions,” Tanak remarked. With experience on his side, Tanak is poised to leverage his skills and knowledge to maintain his lead in the competition. However, he remains cautious about the unpredictability of tire wear and its potential impact on the race.
In conclusion, the WRC Rally Chile has proven to be a test of skill and adaptability for drivers like Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville. While Tanak has managed to overcome initial challenges and secure a lead, Neuville faces struggles with set-up adjustments. As the competition intensifies, the drivers will need to showcase their expertise and determination to excel in the unpredictable conditions of Rally Chile.
