Ott Tänak ensured the World Rally Championship drivers’ title fight will go down to the wire after a thrilling victory at the Central European Rally, with Hyundai extending their lead over Toyota in the manufacturers’ race.
What started as a four-way battle for the top spot ended with Tänak emerging victorious, overcoming setbacks and capitalizing on his rivals’ misfortunes to claim his second win of the season. The 2019 world champion’s perseverance paid off, as Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier crashed out during Sunday’s penultimate stage, clearing the path for Tänak to snatch victory.
Ogier’s early crash—600 meters into the stage—resulted in significant damage to his GR Yaris Rally1, taking off the left-rear wheel and smashing into an electricity pole. With Ogier out of the picture, Tänak’s path to victory became clear, allowing the Estonian to cruise to the win after inheriting the lead on Sunday morning.
Tänak admitted that Ogier’s crash weighed heavily on his mind, influencing his decision to back off during the final powerstage, ensuring he secured crucial points for Hyundai in the manufacturers’ championship while avoiding unnecessary risks.
“What happened to Séb is always tough when you’re fighting a friend,” Tänak said. “It’s hard to push after something like that, but we needed to focus on securing points for the team.”
Evans Pushes, But Comes Up Short
Elfyn Evans, who had been in the mix for victory, settled for second place, just seven seconds behind Tänak. While Evans showed strong pace, he admitted he hadn’t quite pushed hard enough when it mattered most.
“It’s frustrating,” said Evans. “We had some good moments, but we were missing a little bit here and there. The powerstage was a real disappointment for us after a strong first run.”
Thierry Neuville, Tänak’s Hyundai teammate, had been leading early on but fell down the order after an off-road excursion on Saturday that left him stuck in a field. Neuville managed to recover slightly, finishing third overall, but was unable to secure the title in Central Europe, leaving the battle to be decided in Japan.
“We were on pace, but a small mistake cost us,” said Neuville. “I had hoped to clinch the title here, but Japan is the final target.”
Katsuta Shines for Toyota, Hyundai’s Championship Hopes Soar
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta was the standout performer on Sunday, claiming the fastest time on the powerstage and bringing home vital points for the team. His efforts, along with Evans’ performance, helped Toyota trim Hyundai’s lead in the manufacturers’ championship to just 15 points.
“I’m grateful for the support from the team,” said Katsuta. “It’s been a tough rally, but I’m happy with how we performed.”
Meanwhile, Tänak’s victory, coupled with Neuville’s solid finish, guaranteed that a Hyundai driver will take the 2024 WRC title. Neuville holds a 25-point lead over Tänak going into the season finale in Japan, with Evans now officially out of the title fight.
Midfield Scramble and WRC2 Drama
Further down the order, M-Sport’s Grégoire Munster secured fifth overall, benefitting from the late retirements of rivals like Sami Pajari, who crashed out on Sunday morning. Munster’s rise to fifth was one of the few highlights in a race marred by bad luck for M-Sport, including Adrien Fourmaux’s early struggles.
In WRC2, Nikolay Gryazin took a controlled victory, finishing 17.3 seconds ahead of Oliver Solberg. While Solberg had already completed his seven scoring rounds, Gryazin’s win kept the title race alive, with the championship to be decided based on Sami Pajari’s result in Japan.
Final Showdown in Japan
The stage is now set for a dramatic finale in Japan. Neuville is on the brink of a long-awaited title, but Tänak has proven he’s not giving up without a fight. With Hyundai and Toyota locked in a fierce battle for manufacturers’ supremacy, the final round promises high stakes and high drama as the WRC season reaches its thrilling conclusion.
