Tanak clinches dramatic Italy victory to record the closest finish
Ott Tanak secured a shocking victory after the anticipated winner Sebastien Ogier fell back on the lead with a puncture in the ultimate stage of Rally Sardegna, Italy.
Ogier, had maintained his rally lead from leg two on Saturday securing a 6.2secs lead into the final stage on Sunday. However, a puncture on the Power stage proved a setback for the Toyota Gazoo driver handing the victory to Hyundai’s driver Tanak.
The victory was sealed by 0.2seconds to record one of the closest WRC finish ever.
It is Tanak’s first victory of the season.
“For the emotion it’s good, but obviously I am very sorry for Séb. To lose a win like this is cruel and I’ve been in exactly the same position myself a couple of years ago,” Said Tanak.
Sealing the podium position was Dani Sordo bringing another Hyundai to the podium in third position, hence, maintaining Hyundai on top of the manufacturer’s leaderboard.
Title contender, Elfyn Evans did not have the best of the event has he settled for a fourth position, remaining second in championship with 18points behind leader Thierry Neuville.
Neuville’s podium bid were shuttered following a off in stage 8 that forced an early retirement. However, the Hyundai crew saved the day securing 12points on Sunday including maximum power stage points. He maintains the championship lead.
Msport Puma’s Grégoire Munster completed the top five positions in Italy.
In WRC2, Toyota’s Sami Pajari yet again showed class claiming the category victory.
The championship heads to Poland for the seventh round on the weekend of 27-30th June.
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