Ott Tänak wasted no time in asserting himself at the Central European Rally’s shakedown stage, posting the fastest time on the short but quick 1.3-mile Točná stage. This marks a strong start to the penultimate round of the 2024 World Rally Championship, where his Hyundai teammate, Thierry Neuville, has a chance to clinch the drivers’ title.
Tänak, always a contender on asphalt, joked that the short sprint felt more like a stage from Catalunya than the rally’s Czech, Austrian, and German routes. Despite its brevity, he treated the run more like a “systems check,” ensuring his Hyundai was fully dialed in. Nevertheless, Tänak’s pace will be seen as an early indicator of his potential for the weekend.
Behind him, eight-time champion Sébastien Ogier took second, just a tenth off Tänak’s time. Ogier’s Toyota teammate, Takamoto Katsuta, who returns to action after missing Rally Chile, was just a fraction behind in third place.
Championship leader Neuville, who could seal his first WRC title this weekend, clocked the fourth-fastest time, 0.7 seconds off Tänak’s pace. While not setting the quickest time, Neuville remains poised and focused on the ultimate prize. He was followed by a surprise performance from Sami Pajari, who is driving a Rally1 car on asphalt for the first time. Pajari expressed his surprise at how competitive his time was, finishing just ahead of Elfyn Evans.
Rounding out the top eight was Andreas Mikkelsen, followed by M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux, who kept the fight alive for the British team. Meanwhile, in WRC2, Miko Marczyk posted the fastest time in his category, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of competition.
As the rally moves into the more challenging stages, all eyes will be on Neuville’s title charge, but Tänak’s early pace could signal a fierce fight for victory.
