Immediately after the event, Tänak published a statement on social media announcing that he would retire from the World Rally Championship at the end of this season.
Just moments earlier, Tänak had been casually chatting to the media about his car and even hinted directly that he might return to Japan next year.
“Let’s see what the conditions are like here next year. Actually, this year’s route was, in my opinion, in the best condition yet – over the two days the grip was really good, and driving felt very pleasant. It could have been really enjoyable,” Tänak said matter-of-factly to reporters.
But only a short while later, Tänak published a social media statement that was far from casual. The Estonian star announced that he would be stepping away from the World Rally Championship after this season.
“After a long and incredible journey in the World Rally Championship, and after many unforgettable seasons, I have decided to take a break from full-time rallying. This decision is not easy, but I feel that now is the right moment to take a step back and dedicate more time to my family and my life in Estonia,” Tänak wrote on Instagram.
Tänak emphasised that family reasons played a major role in his decision – and he did not say a final farewell to the sport.
“My children are growing, life moves fast, and I want to be present for the moments that matter the most,” Tänak explained.
“This is not final goodbye to rallying. This is simply an opportunity to reset, recharge, and refocus. I still love this sport deeply, and I am sure I will continue in some way or another. Rallying will always be part of me, and I am very proud of what we have achieved together,” Tänak said.
Tänak won one world championship title during his career. The Estonian took the crown while driving for Toyota in the 2019 season. After that, he surprised everyone by moving to Hyundai. In between, he drove one season for M-Sport Ford before returning to Hyundai for the 2024 season.
The past few years have been very difficult for Tänak. Particularly this season, the Estonian has faced major challenges with Hyundai’s car, and he has repeatedly expressed frustration not only with the car but also with the state of the sport as a whole.
Tänak is now the second top driver in the World Rally Championship to leave the series after this season. Earlier in October, Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä announced he would step away from the championship after this season. Next year, Rovanperä will compete in Japan’s Super Formula series, with his ultimate goal, of course, being to one day race in Formula One.
