Tänak and his co-driver Martin Järveoja set off as the second car on the nearly 30-kilometre Stańczyki special stage, but their journey ended prematurely with a retirement before the finish line.
Tänak later confirmed in an interview with WRC that he had hit a deer.
The collision with the deer was severe enough to crush the front of the Hyundai completely. Among other things, the radiator was damaged in the crash.
“Everything is gone,” a disappointed Tänak confirmed.
However, the Estonian is likely to be able to continue the rally on Saturday. No irreparable damage was done.
“Everything seems to be changeable,” Tänak said, looking at the severely damaged front of his car.
Before the retirement, Tänak was performing well and was considered a favourite to win the fast gravel rally. While he is no longer in contention for the victory, the new points system still allows Tänak to secure a decent points haul from Poland.
Rally Poland features five more special stages on Friday. The competition concludes on Sunday.
