The World Rally Championship season continues in three weeks’ time with the Central European Rally, run on asphalt roads across Germany, Czechia and Austria.
For the upcoming event, Tänak carried out a test on a Belgian asphalt stage. During his test day, a significant discovery was also made.
Tänak drove two different cars during the day: the latest development version of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, and last year’s specification car.
Watch the videos from Tänak’s test below:
Hyundai’s drivers tackled this season’s opening Rally Monte Carlo with what was still regarded as the 2024-spec car. Adrien Fourmaux finished third in that event with his Hyundai.
In the second round in Sweden, Hyundai introduced the latest development version of its car. However, its potential was completely absent at the first full asphalt rally of the year in the Canary Islands in April. Toyota scored a dominant 1-2-3-4 finish, while the Hyundai drivers were left far behind.
That is why Hyundai is considering whether to revert to the previous development version of the car for the Central European asphalt rally. Tänak was given the chance in Belgium to compare the two versions during his test day – data which will undoubtedly carry great weight when the team makes its decision.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux will both contest warm-up rallies ahead of Central Europe. The reigning champion Neuville competes this weekend on home ground in the East Belgian Rally, while Fourmaux will be in action next week in Croatia at a national event held alongside the ERC rally.
Tänak is the only one of Hyundai’s three drivers still in contention for this season’s drivers’ title. For some reason, however, Hyundai has not given him a warm-up event before the Central European Rally.
Read also: Commentary: A baffling decision – why is Ott Tänak denied the same golden chance as his team-mates?
The Central European Rally takes place from 16–19 October. Toyota has the chance to secure the manufacturers’ crown, while three Toyota drivers – Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä – are still in the fight for the drivers’ title. Tänak currently lies fourth in the standings.
