Tänak crashed on the new Saarikas special stage on Friday morning. The Estonian’s Hyundai went off the road and ultimately collided with a tree, hitting it bottom first.
Tänak escaped serious injury, but his co-driver, Martin Järveoja, was carried on a stretcher to a medical helicopter and flown to hospital for further examination.
The special stage was halted for a prolonged period after Tänak and Järveoja’s accident. Eventually, the stage was resumed after the break.
According to their teammate Esapekka Lappi, the wait was agonising.
“There was a lot of uncertainty about what had happened. We didn’t get any information, and then when we saw the medical helicopter go there, it felt awful,” Lappi said.
“But they are alive, and apparently nothing irreversible has happened.”
Toyota holds the top three positions after the morning loop of the Rally Finland, but Lappi is not far behind. In fourth place, Lappi is 9.7 seconds behind the leader, Kalle Rovanperä.
The first special stages of the rally presented a significant challenge for the drivers, with heavy rain making the roads slippery.
“This was one of the most challenging mornings in Jyväskylä. There were a lot of changes in grip, and our car doesn’t seem to be at its best in such conditions. If the grip were consistent, it would perform well.”
“There were many surprises, but we still have to be satisfied with our performance from our starting position,” Lappi summarised.
