Reliability of the hybrid units could well be at the heart of someone’s Rally México victory dreams being realized or dashed, according to current World Rally Championship leader Ott Tänak.
Rally México returns to the World Rally Championship for the first time since 2020 this weekend, and although it’s a much-loved event, it’s also one of the most challenging on the calendar.
But although it will be a big challenge for the drivers, Tänak believes that it will be an even bigger one for the Rally1’s hybrid units.
With México’s stages taking place at high altitude, cars normally struggle with a loss of engine power. This year is the first time that hybrid WRC cars will tackle these stages, and in theory, the electrical power provided should not be hampered by the thinner air, but Tänak believes it could be subjected to challenges in other ways.
“I mean for the hybrid let’s say it’s good to go hybrid,” Tänak said to DirtFish.
“It’s something which doesn’t get affected by the altitude but the combustion engine it’s challenging.
“But from the other side for the hybrid, the temperature and altitude and low cooling effect, it will definitely affect. So how we can manage it we need to find out.
“It’s probably going to be one of the most challenging ones for the hybrids.
“The hybrid doesn’t like the temperature, it doesn’t like the compressions and the G-forces which in México you get many with all the compressions and things.
“So let’s see, it will be a proper challenge.”
That view is echoed by M-Sport team principal Richard Millener, who believes that a loss of hybrid power will affect a driver more than on any other event so far.
“Yeah, I think it could showcase a bit more of a difference between some of the cars I guess, and any cars that suffer hybrid issues will definitely be at a disadvantage compared to what we’ve seen at sea level,” he said.
We did some very tough testing for the car when we designed the car on some very rough roads so we would hope that that testing back then is going to come into its benefits nowRichard Millener
“But again, it’s going to be part of the whole challenge over the course of the weekend and we just need to prep our cars as best we can so we give the guys the best as possible for the event.”
And although the compression of the unit might be a concern, Millener admitted that there’s nothing the teams can really do to minimize that for the weekend.
“Very little to be honest, it’s kind of in the place it’s designed for and there’s no real scope to modify that,” he explained.
“We did some very tough testing for the car when we designed the car on some very rough roads so we would hope that that testing back then is going to come into its benefits now.”
As a result, Millener reckons that the rally could well be a dramatic one.
“Drama I’m sure,” was Millener’s response when asked what should be expected from the weekend.
“[It’s the] first time here for all of us with these cars and these roads.
“It’s been a few years since we’ve been here, you probably forget the conditions and how hard they really are.
“I think the guys saw that during the recce so I think it will be a bit of a survival of the fittest – a big challenge for everyone.”
