Defending his spare engine for an opportunity to struggle for Tremendous Sunday factors is the explanation behind Ott Tanak’s determination to retire from Rally Chile for a second time.
Tanak rejoined the rally after his Hyundai group fitted a spare engine to his i20 N Rally1 automotive in a single day, following an engine failure throughout Friday’s stage six whereas main the rally by 9.7s.
The 2-time Rally Chile winner lit up the timing screens on Saturday morning as Tanak received the opening two phases, held in moist circumstances, earlier than deciding to retire the automotive once more earlier than stage 9.
Tanak defined the explanation behind contesting the 2 phases was to test the engine and collect information forward of Sunday’s 4 phases when a most of 10 factors are on supply to crews, that will probably be essential to Tanak’s World Rally Championship title bid.
The 2019 world champion headed into Rally Chile 18 factors behind chief Elfyn Evans, who led Rally Chile after stage 9.
“By regulation you’re allowed two engines per yr,” stated Tanak. “That is truly additionally the engine which we had an issue with in Sweden and it’s additionally not in a good condition.
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Workforce Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photograph by: Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
“So it was already getting on the restrict in these two phases. So yeah, we strive to reserve it for Tremendous Sunday and hopefully it could actually take us by means of 4 phases.
“We got here again [today] to not injury the engine an excessive amount of and have have a look at the info, have preparation for tomorrow and do all the things we are able to from our facet.”
Tanak admitted his title bid is “not nice” after Friday’s engine failure and believes a “massive change” within the championship battle will probably be wanted to maintain his hopes of a second title alive.
“Let’s see what the scenario is after this rally,” he added. “Like I stated, I’ll for positive do my greatest if I begin the rally. It doesn’t actually matter if it’s for the championship or is it for the rally.
“You all the time attempt to hold all the things out of your facet. In any other case, there isn’t a level in going to the rally. So, some sort of pleasure and motivation nonetheless must be there and that’s a part of the job. Trying again to this season it should want a giant change.”
When requested in regards to the dangerous luck he has skilled this yr, he added, “It has completely nothing to do with luck.”
On this article
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e-mail updates on these subjects
