Tänak’s fate was sealed on the second special stage of the morning. Tänak had only driven a couple of kilometres on the Saarijärvi stage when his Hyundai plunged front-first into a tree.
Tänak emerged from the severe impact without major injuries, but his co-driver Martin Järveoja was transported to the hospital by medical helicopter. Järveoja will stay in the hospital overnight for observation, thus ending Tänak’s rally.
“We are okay,” Tänak confirmed on Friday evening.
“Let’s say good timing for summer break, so we can recover for Greece,” the Estonian star continued.
Tänak was not keen on discussing the crash itself in detail.
“Obviously, we went wide and we rolled into a tree. The impact was big,” Tänak said.
Tänak and Järveoja received medical assistance on site quickly, which is not the case in all rallies.
“There was good reaction, from the medical crew. So just in few minutes we had the support there. I myself didn’t need any medical help. Martin was taken to the hospital for the check ups. It was going all smoothly. Tänak praised.
This major crash was the second for Tänak within a month. The Estonian also had a severe crash in early July in Estonia.
“It’s definitely not comfortable,” Tänak said.
