Breaking news
WRC
Tanak has "no doubts" after first Hyundai test
Reigning World Rally champion Ott Tanak says he has "no doubts" he can fight to defend his crown with Hyundai after testing the i20 Coupe WRC this week.
Jamie Klein Jonathan Noble
Edited: Dec 8, 2019, 10:41 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Tanak made a shock switch to Hyundai on a two-year deal after wrapping up this year's WRC crown for Toyota, and had his first taste of the car in which he'll attempt to defend his title on Thursday in the French Alps.
The Estonian, who joins Thierry Neuville, Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo at Hyundai for 2020, says he is already convinced that he'll be in a position to fight for the top prize again.
"Obviously Hyundai won the manufacturers’ championship [this year] so I have no doubt I’m in a good place next year," said Tanak at the FIA Prize Gala in Paris.
"It’s never easy to change team, it takes time to settle in, but I believe I will have all the tools I need to fight for the championship. The aim next year is definitely to fight for it."
Asked specifically if he felt comfortable in the Hyundai, the Estonian replied: "I did!"
For PRIME users:
Explaining his thought process behind leaving Toyota, Tanak said he felt he was a "good match" with Hyundai team boss Andrea Adamo, and that his "feeling" was that the Korean marque would be the best place for him to add to his tally of titles in future.
"It’s never easy to leave a team, especially with a car like this," he said. "It has been a great two years and the car has been improving and there is performance, there is no doubt.
"It’s always easier to stay where you are but I still feel I have plenty of motivation to keep pushing and I can’t stay on one title, I’d like to have more.
"Through the year I’ve been in touch with Andrea Adamo. He seems the kind of guy who likes to push as much as I like to. So I think for sure we’re a good match and the team is full of motivation to do everything in their power to fight for the championship.
"That was just my feeling, that it’s the team to be in to fight for the championship."
Tanak added there were was no ill-feeling towards Toyota despite talks breaking down.
"It was a long negotiation and it went nowhere for a long time," he said. "I believe there were no hard feelings, and we’ll just continue competing but next year against each other."
Toyota has announced an all-new line-up for 2020 comprising six-time champion Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera.
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC
Photo by: Toyota Racing
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Citroen open to making WRC car available to privateers
Next article Autosport Awards: Toyota named Rally Car of the Year
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Ott Tanak
Ott Tanak to make ARA debut on WRC fact finding mission
WRC
WRC
Ott Tanak to make ARA debut on WRC fact finding mission
Ott Tanak: Never say never on WRC 2027 return but “no plan” for the moment
WRC
WRC
Rally Greece
Ott Tanak: Never say never on WRC 2027 return but “no plan” for the moment
More from
Hyundai Motorsport
Adrien Fourmaux confident of WRC drive despite 2027 uncertainty
WRC
WRC 19 h
Adrien Fourmaux confident of WRC drive despite 2027 uncertainty
What does the future hold for Thierry Neuville and Hyundai in WRC?
WRC
WRC
Rally Italy
What does the future hold for Thierry Neuville and Hyundai in WRC?
Latest news
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
5 h
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
8 h
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
9 h
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 9 h
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe