Ott Tanak surprised himself by contending for victory in the WRC Rally Chile after struggling initially on Friday. He led Elfyn Evans by 0.4 seconds at day’s end but ended up trailing by three seconds due to a time adjustment. Tanak noted discomfort with his car’s setup but improved through adjustments, while Thierry Neuville attributed his difficulties to a setup error, ending the day 30 seconds behind Tanak.
Ott Tanak expressed his surprise at finding himself in contention for victory at the WRC Rally Chile, contrary to his initial expectations following the challenging performance on the first day. The 2019 World Champion indicated that after the first stage on Friday, he had communicated to his team that a finish within the top six would be optimistic, given the difficulties he faced with his Hyundai i20 N on the slippery gravel roads. Despite these struggles, Tanak managed to post competitive times, leading rival Elfyn Evans by 0.4 seconds by the end of the day. However, after an adjustment to Evans’ time, Tanak ended the day trailing by three seconds. Tanak elaborated on the struggles, noting his discomfort with the vehicle’s handling and the changes made throughout the day to improve the car’s performance. “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 stated. Looking ahead, he acknowledged that Saturday would present a new challenge due to a change in road surface, which could impact tire management significantly. In contrast, Thierry Neuville, Tanak’s teammate and championship leader, attributed his difficulties at Rally Chile to a miscalculation in car setup. Despite making adjustments, Neuville found himself in sixth place, 30 seconds behind the leader. “I think we were just on the wrong set-up as I cannot explain how I could’ve struggled that much out there,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for better performance and speed to compete for higher positions. Moving forward, both drivers are focused on adapting to the evolving conditions and enhancing their competitive edge as the rally progresses.
The WRC Rally Chile has been marked by dramatic performances and challenges, particularly relating to car setup and road conditions. Historically, drivers face varying surfaces and weather, making tire management essential. Ott Tanak, a skilled driver for Hyundai, found himself battling the car’s setup on the slippery gravel roads during the first stages of the rally. Similarly, Thierry Neuville, another key competitor for Hyundai, experienced challenges that affected his performance. Their experiences reflect the complexities of rally racing, where immediate adjustments to car setup can drastically influence outcomes.
In summary, Ott Tanak’s unexpected position in the WRC Rally Chile highlights the unpredictable nature of rally racing. Initially underestimating his chances, his adaptability allowed him to contend for the lead despite earlier difficulties. Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville’s challenges were linked to a setup miscalculation, underscoring the critical role of vehicle handling and performance in determining success in the rally. As the event unfolds, both drivers aim to navigate the evolving conditions effectively to secure favorable standings.
Original Source: www.autosport.com
