In a short statement posted on the Estonian’s social media account, the Hyundai Motorsport star wrote:

“I’m gutted to say this, but unfortunately I’m not able to participate at ACI Rally Monza due to personal family matters. This is a tough decision to make, but it’s a needed one.

“I wish the very best of luck to our team for the final round of the championship, there’s still much to fight for!”

Tänak will be replaced in the Korean manufacturer’s i20 World Rally Car by Teemu Suninen. The Finn was expected to make his second appearance in an i20 N Rally2 after finishing runner-up in WRC2 in Spain last month.

A Hyundai Motorsport statement said:

“We have a last minute change in our crew line-up for ACI Rally Monza. Sadly Ott Tänak (and Martin Järveoja) will be forced to miss the event due to personal family matters. We wish Ott all the best and we can’t wait to see him back in action with the team in 2022!

“Meanwhile we welcome Teemu Suninen and Mikko Markkula to the WRC team as the Finnish duo will replace Ott and Martin in the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC for the season finale in Italy.”

Suninen will join Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo in Hyundai’s line-up as the team bids to stage an unlikely snatch-and-grab of the manufacturers’ title from Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Toyota leads by 47 points and requires only five more from the three-day asphalt encounter to regain the title from Hyundai.

Suninen began the season with M-Sport Ford but quit the British squad in August after a disappointing series of results in the top-tier and WRC2 categories.