Tänak has managed to win in Sweden with both Toyota and Ford, but he has yet to secure a victory with Hyundai. The season opener in Monte-Carlo was underwhelming for Tänak, as he finished fifth.
The Estonian driver admits that he struggled to adapt quickly enough to the new Hankook tyres and their effect on the car’s handling. In Sweden, Hankook’s tyres will face another real test, but the rally should suit Tänak much better than Monte-Carlo.
“Monte was full of surprises this year and we struggled to adapt immediately to the new tyres in the changing conditions,” Tänak admitted.
“This will still be a challenge in Sweden, but with no tyre choice we just need to focus on maximising our performance as quickly as possible.”
Tänak starts the rally as the fourth car on the road, which can play a significant role in Sweden, especially in snowy conditions.
However, the Estonian driver emphasises that the high-speed nature of the event also demands a lot from the car.
“Road position plays a key role in Sweden, especially on the second loop of some stages, but aside from that, speed and performance are still the most important factors,” Tänak summed up.
Tänak has tested on snow for two days, one in December and another right after Monte-Carlo. He lacks actual competition experience with the new tyres, but the situation is the same for everyone.
“We had a test day in December and another one after Monte-Carlo and so far it’s all been positive,” Tänak said.
“There will be some big challenges, but we are feeling motivated ahead of the weekend – we are hoping to push for a strong result.”
