Ott Tanak has surprised himself by competing for victory at WRC Rally Chile, overcoming initial struggles to lead the rally after a pivotal Friday. Despite this, he trails Elfyn Evans by three seconds going into Saturday’s stages due to an adjustment made by officials. Tanak focused on adapting the car setup for better handling, while Thierry Neuville’s issues stemmed from a wrong setup, leaving him in sixth place.
Ott Tanak has expressed his surprise at finding himself in contention for victory at the WRC Rally Chile after what he initially perceived as a poorly executed start on Friday. The 2019 champion, who drives for Hyundai, had expected that a top six finish would be the best he could achieve following struggles during the opening stages of the rally. However, after an impressive performance throughout Friday’s six stages, Tanak led by 0.4 seconds over Toyota’s Elfyn Evans at the end of the segment. Despite this achievement, Tanak faced a setback due to an adjustment made by officials to Evans’ notional time from the first stage, leaving him three seconds behind heading into Saturday. Tanak indicated that he struggled with the handling of his i20 N, particularly on the treacherous gravel roads of Chile. “I definitely am surprised to be in this position… after the first stage I said to the engineers that a top six or top eight is the maximum, it was not driving at all,” he remarked. Despite the challenges, he made continual adjustments to his car setup, which allowed him to regain confidence and perform competitively. Looking ahead to Saturday’s stages, which promise a more abrasive surface compared to Friday’s, Tanak acknowledged the critical importance of tyre management. Reflecting on his previous success in these conditions last year, he stated, “the characteristics are completely different… but normally from the road we should get more grip and much better road positions.” In contrast, Thierry Neuville, the championship leader, shared his frustrations about the car’s setup, which he believes hindered his performance. After finishing the day in sixth place, he lamented, “I think we were just on the wrong set-up… the pace wasn’t there and the feeling wasn’t good.” Neuville emphasized the need for a better performance in the upcoming stages, acknowledging his distance from the leaders yet setting his sights on overcoming the deficiencies of the previous day.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) represents one of the most challenging motorsport events internationally, featuring diverse terrains such as gravel, dirt, and tarmac. Competitors must adapt to rapidly changing conditions while fine-tuning their vehicles for optimal performance. The Rally Chile is particularly notable for its unique road composition, which can significantly affect car handling and driver confidence. Veteran drivers like Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville routinely adjust their strategies and setups during the rally to cope with these variances, showcasing both the skill of the teams and the importance of mechanical adaptability in achieving success.
In summary, Ott Tanak’s unexpected competitiveness at the WRC Rally Chile underlines his resilience and adaptability, despite beginning the rally with limited expectations for success. His ability to continuously modify the vehicle’s setup was key to his performance improvement. Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville’s struggles reflect the critical role of precise vehicle tuning, showcasing the tactical challenges faced by drivers in this demanding sport. With tyre management becoming essential as conditions change, the outcome of the rally remains poised for dramatic developments in the upcoming stages.
Original Source: www.autosport.com
