Five wins and that’s enough! World Rally Champion Ott Tänak to leave Hyundai after the season

Estonia’s Ott Tänak, who in 2019 became the first World Rally Champion without the word Sébastien in his name in 15 years, will end his association with Hyundai at the end of the season. He won a total of five events with the team, which he transferred to starting in 2020.

The prestigious Hyundai stable is losing one of its most successful drivers of recent years at the end of this season. After three years, Ott Tänak has decided to terminate his contract with the team with which he collected five triumphs in World Championship events. The decision was made at the end of this year’s Spanish Rally.

“Tänak’s decision to part ways with Hyundai Motorsport after three seasons comes at a time when the company was already considering its crew line-up for 2023. We respect his request and together we remember all the successful moments,” reads an official statement from the team itself.

” This is a personal decision that I have made with respect for the team after careful consideration. However, I feel that I am at a stage in my career where I need to take on a new challenge. I am proud of what we have achieved. I thank the team for their understanding and wish the team the best.”

Tänak’s teammate Thierry Neuville also reacted to the situation. In a press conference after the Rally Spain, he told the website crash.net that he wished Tänak had stayed with the team because it forced him to give his best.

Tänak began his career as a driver in the World Rally Championship with the 2009 season. Two years later, he moved to the most prestigious category. However, he had to wait until the 2017 Rally Italy with Ford for his first victory.

He then switched to Toyota, with which he picked up six wins in 2019. He became the first non-French world champion in 15 long years whose name did not begin with Sébastien. Immediately after this successful season, he announced a move to Hyundai.

Sources: Hyundai Motorsport, Crash.net