Returning to the Korean manufacturer’s fold after just a year’s break, Tänak has not yet achieved the results he wanted at the start of the season.
In the season opener in Monte Carlo, the Estonian finished fourth, and in mid-February in Sweden, Tänak had to retire.
The course now needs to be corrected, but a huge challenge awaits in Kenya. The rainy season could add an extra level of difficulty to the Safari Rally, making the rally very unpredictable. Not an easy situation for a driver in desperate need of good results.
“It’s not really a pure performance event and you can’t take too much confidence for sure,” Tänak admitted frankly before the season’s third competition to RallyJournal.com.
“But the most important thing is to find some kind of base where you feel confident, and then go with that, just hoping that everything holds together and we can stay out of trouble. It’s always a challenge, but I mean, here in the Safari, it’s never straightforward,” Tänak continued.
According to Tänak, Hyundai has been working hard to improve the car.
“Definitely there’s been a lot of work around the car, and many things have been done. We hope it’s going to be better,” Tänak said.
Safari Rally is one of the most iconic competitions in the WRC and differs significantly from the rest of the calendar’s events.
“Yeah, this is unique, the only one like this in the calendar. Just like Monte, this one stand out. Mileage wise, quite similar to every other rallies, but the rest is completely different. It’s quite a challenge,” Tänak summarized.”
