On the eve of the fourth round of the 2024 World Rally Championship, it would be an understatement to say that Ott Tänak’s return to Hyundai has not yet yielded the results he was targeting.
Tänak has yet to stand on the podium this year – something he hasn’t failed to achieve in the WRC’s opening three rounds since way back in 2016.
Bad luck and getting to grips with the car on three completely different rallies have played their parts, but the 2019 world champion admits to his own mistakes too.
In this fascinating interview with DirtFish just before the action at Croatia Rally gets under way, Tänak gives an insight into what has changed at the Alzenau-based squad he left less than 18 months ago and his thoughts on team principal Cyril Abiteboul, who joined in the interim. He talks about his relationship with Thierry Neuville, his thoughts on team orders and his interactions with the media.
And, as he seeks to get the best out of his i20 N Rally1, Tänak describes what it’s like to feel in perfect harmony with the car underneath him – and how difficult that is to achieve.
Away from his current focus, what does Tänak think about Formula 1 and its domination of the motorsport landscape? And where does he see his future – and that of the WRC?
Watch the video below to find out the answers.
