Ott Tänak starts strong in New Zealand to extend WRC streak

Oat Tunak Rally New Zealand started with a goal, Stop Finn Calle Rowanbere from becoming world champion. The Estonian knows that getting a win in all possible ways is the best way to prolong the resolution of the title. With this in mind, DThe ring closes from Friday before änak General ahead of Elfin Evans and Craig Breen.

It would not have been a good start for Tanak’s interests As it rained with the pilots Friday morning during three sections. Rain played in Kalle Rowanbera’s favour And after nearly 80 kilometers of wrangling against the clock and the dreaded ‘Vanga Coast’, the Finn was not far from the podium. Gus Greensmith signing the scratch was a special one Against all odds.

Ott Tänak knows it’s his duty to win Rally New Zealand and hopes that Kale Rowenbere will fail again.

The first part passed without significant incidents, which can almost be called a miracle because of the rain and the absence of notes from drivers in a certain rally. This situation was not repeated in SS3 Raced a spin in Theory New and hit a gutter lightly. The scratch went to Elfyn Evans, with Ott Tänak and Craig Breen continuing to lead the way, more due to having a good time in Auckland than anything else.

SS4 finished the morning in New Zealand Ot Tanak did just that by giving the first blow to the table. After a strong storm played against the 80 kilometer rally and M-Sport driver, the Estonian scratched to establish himself as the new leader ahead of Elfin Evans and Craig Breen. On the opposite side of the coin, Thierry Neuville suffered again with the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, to the point of a second spin.

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Thanak’s bush

Dannock closed the first real loop of the rally, 2.6 seconds ahead of Elfin Evans and Craig Breen., perhaps more importantly, Gus Greensmith and Sébastien Ogier are already nine seconds ahead. For its part, Calle Rovanperä has put up with the boy as long as she can So there shouldn’t be another poor start on Saturday, he’s currently sixth at 10.7s.

There is an abyss behind the World Cup leader, drawn up to Thierry Neuville. The Belgian lost 40.9 seconds to his teammate After two laps and without intermediate help, he could do little to correct the poor behavior of his Hyundai i20 N Rally1. Takamoto Katsuta is eighth in his particular fight with Oliver Solberg.

Hayden Baden Review

Hayden Baden has played the protagonist in the WRC2 category. The Kiwi rider used his knowledge of the terrain to best all competitors in SS2 by more than 15 seconds, to which must be added the almost 9 seconds he put on Kajetan Kajetanowicz in the second stage of the day. Although the pole is scratchy in SS4, The damage has already been done.

When the first loop closes, Hayden Baden finished tenth overall and leads WRC2 by 33.8 seconds over Gajedanovic.. For his part, the third place goes to Shane van Gisbergen, although he is already more than a minute behind the head. Australian champion Harry Bates is fourth and would have finished third had he not received a 10-second penalty for suffering a late spin in SS2 control.

Qualifying after SS4 of the 45th Rally New Zealand

The New Zealand rally continues this Thursday (9:33 pm) with controversy First stage of the event. Pilots and co-pilots would argue 79.28 kilometers against the clock.

Photos: Hyundai Motorsport / M-Sport