He boasts a world championship title from 2019 and 21 WRC victories across various surfaces, including snow, gravel, and asphalt.
However, one crowning achievement still eludes him: a victory at the legendary Rally Monte Carlo. Despite numerous attempts, Tänak has never managed to top the podium at this iconic event.
One major reason is the dominance of French rally legends Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier, who have each claimed Monte wins an astonishing eight times.
“It really is a unique event with a big history, and a win here is something I would appreciate a lot. It’s always the target, and let’s say this trophy would be in a special place,” Tänak said.
“It’s always a tricky event, we have been on the podium but never been strong enough to win it.”
This year’s event presents additional challenges with the introduction of new Hankook tires. The Korean manufacturer’s rubber is making its debut as the WRC’s official tyres at Monte Carlo. Meanwhile, changes to the Rally1 cars – such as the removal of hybrid units – add another layer of complexity.
“There are many sections that are new this year, so again it’s difficult to know what to expect. Monte is always very unknown, so it makes the long-term preparation quite difficult. The weather is the main character, and we need to be ready for every outcome over the weekend,” Tänak said.
“The main thing to consider about that is the tyres, which is quite a big component in our rally. Everyone has quite a big unknown, and I think this will make Monte very interesting.”
The Rally Monte Carlo kicks off Thursday evening with three night stages and wraps up on Sunday.
