Hyundai Motorsport has retired Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja from Secto Rally Finland, with Järveoja remaining in hospital overnight as a precaution.
Tänak crashed early on the third special stage of round nine of the World Rally Championship, running wide on a long left-hander and dipping his i20 N Rally1 into a ditch.
That toppled the car over, and the Estonian crew hit a tree before the car came to rest on its side in the ditch.
The stage was interrupted as medical professionals entered the stage, although Tänak and Järveoja both got out of the car unassisted. While Tänak was deemed OK, Järveoja was airlifted to hospital.
In a media statement, Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed that both members of the crew “are well” but Järveoja will stay in hospital overnight “for observation as a precaution”.
The team said: “While competing at Rally Finland, round nine of the FIA World Rally Championship season, Hyundai Motorsport’s Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja were involved in a crash on Friday morning during SS3 Saarikas 1.
“Their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid slid off the road at high speed in tricky and slippery conditions just over 2km into the stage. The car subsequently rolled and hit a tree. After the accident, Tänak and Järveoja exited the car themselves without assistance and the stage was immediately red flagged to allow medical services to attend the scene.
“Both Tänak and Järveoja were quickly attended to by the medical team, with Järveoja taken to hospital by helicopter for further examination. While both driver and co-driver are well, Järveoja will need to remain in hospital overnight for observation as a precaution.
“As a result, the #8 crew will not return for the remainder of the Rally Finland weekend.”
Tänak’s retirement from the entire weekend is a major blow to his world title hopes, as he will be unable to compete for Super Sunday points. He has become an expert at salvaging strong points from difficult weekends, but he is set to lose important ground to both Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans.
Prior to Rally Finland, Tänak was just eight points adrift of Neuville in the standings.
