World Rally Championship leader Ott Tanak faces a major setback in his title chase as stewards deliver a crushing blow this weekend. Tanak has been hit with a five-minute penalty at Rally Finland and a suspended penalty of 35 championship points following an incident where he injured a scrutineer. During Friday’s seventh stage, Tanak veered off the road, hitting a tree and damaging his cooling system. Desperate to prevent his engine from overheating, Tanak hastily left the stop control after the stage without proper clearance, inadvertently striking a scrutineer and causing minor injuries.
The stewards’ report detailed the sequence of events, highlighting Tanak’s actions and the scrutineer’s injuries. Tanak reportedly gestured for the scrutineer to move away, believing the checks were complete before accelerating unexpectedly, colliding with the official. Despite Tanak’s apologies and explanation of the miscommunication, the penalties dealt a significant blow to his championship aspirations.
The reigning champion entered Rally Finland with a slim one-point lead over Elfyn Evans in the standings, with crucial points up for grabs in the remaining events. However, Tanak’s plummet to 14th place due to the penalty jeopardizes his chances of retaining the top spot in the championship race. Meanwhile, Evans finds himself in fourth place with the event drawing to a close, setting the stage for a dramatic shift in the title battle.
As Tanak grapples with the consequences of his actions, the rallying world awaits the final outcome of Rally Finland and the implications for the championship standings. Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping saga.
