As reported earlier, Tänak was in Jämsä on Wednesday, testing Hyundai’s i20 N Rally1 car at the team’s test site. The Estonian star arrived in the morning by helicopter, got to work testing, and by evening, he was back in the helicopter heading home.
Tänak’s usual co-driver, Martin Järveoja, was not with him for the tests. A photo posted by Tänak from the helicopter revealed that he conducted the test with another Estonian co-driver, Jakko Viilo.
This fuelled strong rumours that Tänak’s regular co-driver, Järveoja, might not have fully recovered from the severe crash in Rally Finland. Speculation suggested that Viilo might replace Järveoja in next week’s Acropolis Rally of Greece.
Rally Finland ended quickly for Tänak and Järveoja when their Hyundai went off the road and crashed into a tree at high speed. Tänak emerged from the crash relatively unscathed, but Järveoja spent a night in the hospital for observation. Afterwards, Tänak announced on social media that Järveoja was fine following the accident and that they planned to continue the season together at the Acropolis Rally.
That plan is still in place, meaning Viilo will not be joining Tänak as his co-driver in Greece. Tänak’s spokesperson, Henri Rump, clarified to the Estonian website Delfi why Viilo was with Tänak for the tests in Central Finland.
“Martin is currently on holiday, so Jakko was filling in for him. It’s a regular routine,” Rump said.
Järveoja will return from his holiday before the Acropolis Rally, where he will resume his usual role as Tänak’s co-driver.
Jakko Viilo has been serving as the co-driver for Estonian hopeful Mark-Egert Tiits in the Estonian rally championship this season.
The Acropolis Rally will take place next week from 5th to 8th September. Tänak and Järveoja are currently third in the championship standings, 31 points behind their teammate Thierry Neuville, who leads the series.
