P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The fight for the FIA World Rally Championship title is set to go down to the wire after Hyundai’s Ott Tanak (above) took a dramatic victory on the Central European Rally on Sunday. On a weekend wh…
Hyundai’s Ott Tanak secured a dramatic victory at the Central European Rally, setting up an intense battle for the FIA World Rally Championship title with teammate Thierry Neuville at the season-closing Rally Japan next month. Tanak’s win, his second of the year, came after eight-time WRC champion Sebastien Ogier crashed his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, handing the Estonian a crucial advantage. Despite Neuville’s initial lead, a costly spin allowed Tanak to close the championship gap to 25 points, with a maximum of 30 points available in Japan. Strong performances from Toyota’s Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta narrowed Hyundai’s advantage in the manufacturers’ championship to just 15 points. The final rally featured a challenging mix of asphalt stages across Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany, with Tanak overcoming early struggles to claim his 21st career victory and keep his title hopes alive.
