Ott Tänak has retired from Rally Estonia after a comeback drive from an SS3 puncture went awry.
The Hyundai driver took the lead of the rally on the first stage on Friday, but a front-right puncture cost him nearly half a minute and dropped him to seventh overall on the next test.
In an attempt to make up time, Tänak endured a wild moment on a tightening right-hander where he cut, flew off the road into a field and crashed back onto the rally route, which was higher than the road-side field on SS4.
Tänak continued on but parts of the radiator were seen flying from the front of his Hyundai, and he quickly decided to stop and pulled off the stage at an access point.
He drove completely out of the stage, got out the car and immediately took his helmet off, signifying his retirement for the day.
Hyundai later confirmed the 2019 World Rally Champion would play no further part on Friday, saying it would recover the i20 Coupe WRC and return it to service.
