What Ott Tanak's return means to Hyundai and their quest for Safari Rally maiden title

©Ott Tanak

MOTORSPORTS What Ott Tanak's return means to Hyundai and their quest for Safari Rally maiden title

Festus Chuma 13:30 - 06.10.2023

Ott Tänak rejoins Hyundai Motorsport for 2024 after a season with M-Sport Ford, aiming for WRC titles with Thierry Neuville.

World Rally Championship (WRC) aficionados have been taken for a thrilling ride as the announcement rolled in that the 2019 champion, Ott Tänak, is gearing up for a triumphant return to Hyundai Motorsport for the 2024 season.

This comeback is particularly significant for the eagerly anticipated Safari Rally next year.

At 35, Tänak boasts an impressive track record with nine victories under his belt while driving for the Korean auto giant between 2020 and 2022. However, he briefly diverged to reunite with M-Sport Ford for the 2023 season, marking a nostalgic return to where his illustrious WRC career commenced.

In a recent turn of events, Tänak, accompanied by co-driver Martin Järveoja, clinched his second Puma Rally1 title at the Rally Chile Bio Bío last week. Yet, the dynamic Estonian driver is not slowing down anytime soon, as fans anticipate his next move post the conclusion of this year’s two remaining rallies.

Tänak’s decision to rejoin Hyundai Motorsport was driven by the clear vision and targets set by the team for the near future. "Hyundai Motorsport has a clear vision and target for the near future, and it is something that convinced me to join our forces again," explained Tänak, showcasing his renewed vigor and commitment to the partnership.

The 2019 WRC champion is also eagerly awaiting the opportunity to collaborate with industry veterans like team principal Cyril Abiteboul and technical director François-Xavier Demaison.

Tänak believes that their extensive knowledge and experience in motorsport will provide a substantial advantage to the entire Hyundai team, propelling them towards unprecedented success in the coming season.

"Our goal in this new chapter will be nothing less than to win all three titles, and with the new structure of the team, we have all the tools needed to achieve it," asserted a confident Tänak.

Abiteboul, who transitioned to Hyundai at the onset of the 2023 season after a stint in Formula 1, echoed Tänak's enthusiasm about the upcoming collaboration.

"I opened a discussion with Ott, who was excited by the renewed ambitions and structure that we are putting in place. We are pleased that he is ready to resume the unfinished business that he has with our team," stated Abiteboul.

This move is expected to exponentially elevate the excitement and competition level at the Safari Rally next year. With Tänak and the Belgian sensation Thierry Neuville - currently ranked second in points - both confirmed for Hyundai's 2024 line-up, spectators are gearing up for a spectacle of speed, precision, and unmatched rivalry on the tracks.

Abiteboul is confident that the pairing of Neuville and Tänak will yield spectacular results, as both drivers possess the prowess to bring out the best in each other.

With these power-packed announcements already stirring up the circuit, Hyundai is now meticulously considering their options for the complete 2024 WRC line-up, promising fans more excitement and breathtaking moments in the rallies to come.

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