Tanak – “We still must fight”

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There will be no easing off for Ott Tanak as he prepares to take on the ADAC Rallye Deutschland and the remainder of the WRC season.

He has a 22 point lead over Sebestien Ogier and a further couple of points in front of Thierry Neuville. It would have been wider if not for the problem he had at the end of Italy but he is the form man at the moment.

Though whether it is time to manage a championship or go flat out, there is only one way according to what Tanak told RacerViews.

“I believe we saw this last year that when we came to Germany. Thierry Neuville had the same kind of lead. So we still must fight.” Tanak said.

“But I think we are still too early in the championship to try to manage a so we have to push.

“There is sitll a long way to go and and plenty of points to share.”

Come to Germany and the road will be rough with plenty of muck on the surface. Particularly on Saturday. In recce, many of the drivers got punctures – with Tanak getting four.

That will ensure that the Panzerplatte loops will define this rally – 2 times over the 41 km stage and Arena Panzerplatte will have its 10km twice. Meaning 100km will be run over these roads – though they will be able to change tyres.

It will make it quite tricky to manage the stages as they could surely define the rally.

“We just need to drive the eyes open but for sure.

“You know, there are many places it’s very difficult to foresee what is on the road. You know what’s coming – so we just need to keep our fingers crossed and hope everything goes well.”

Coming out of the first stage of Rally Germany, he has a lead and could make it three in a row again – like he did last year.

The thing is that last year Neuville held the strong lead and Tanak almost pulled it back.

This year, Tanak has the lead, and the momentum.

Sure it isn’t won, but who would bet against him?

Sam Tickell