Estonian Ott Tänak returned to the Korean manufacturer’s fold this season after spending just one season with M-Sport. This season, he forms Hyundai’s regular driver pairing with Thierry Neuville.
Both Tänak and Neuville are known to be strong personalities. So far, clashes have been avoided, but what will happen if Neuville and Tänak are competing head-to-head for the world championship at the end of the season? The situation is at least volatile, especially if team orders come into play.
Thierry Neuville, however, remains calm about the simmering fire. At least for now.
“As I have said before, we have been in this situation before,” Neuville said.
“We have been in the same team together for many years. We work together, and that’s it,” Neuville continued.
Neuville says he holds his Estonian teammate in high regard. Tänak is the 2019 world champion and has demonstrated his abilities many times over the years. This season, Tänak’s composure on Sundays has been particularly impressive. Even if things have gone poorly on Friday or Saturday, Tänak has been able to master the new points system and score maximum points on Super Sunday.
Strong Sundays have brought Tänak into the championship fight. Teammate Neuville still leads the drivers’ championship before Rally Finland, but only eight points separate the two.
“He is really fast. There is no question about that,” Neuville praised.
“He has some very favourable races coming up, and there is no doubt he will be very strong. I, on the other hand, am currently in a very different and more difficult situation, as I have to do cleaning so much. This honestly makes it three times harder for me. I need to do my own thing,” Neuville stated.
Next, the Hyundai duo will go head-to-head on the gravel roads of Central Finland. Rally Finland will be held from 1st to 4th August.
