Estonian Ott Tänak was not at all satisfied with Hyundai Motorsport’s management of the Acropolis Rally, understanding that team orders had prevented him from having a “fair fight” with teammate Thierry Neuville.
At this point in the film, it seems clear that the waters go down riots in Hyundai. Ott Tänak’s three victories did not relax the atmosphere and the Estonian had no problem stating after the Ypres Rally that Julien Moncet was not the right man to direct the brand’s designs in the WRC. Nothing has changed after the Acropolis Rallyeven after the firm starred in a historic moment.
Hyundai Motorsport achieved its first ever WRC hat-trick in Greece. Thierry Neuville was able to debut his record with the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 after beating his teammates Ott Tänak and Dani Sordo. Nevertheless, the resolution of the rally did not please Tänaksince he considers that the team orders to maintain position have prevented a “fair fight”, in addition to depriving him of important points for the championship.
Julien Moncet: «I can understand your frustration. It’s a really difficult situation that everyone hates.”
Without mincing words, once again, Ott Tanak has criticized Hyundai’s way of acting: “I guess it’s the right decision, depending on what the goal is. If you’re going to fight for the drivers’ championship, then it was wrong. If you want to have a good public image, it is the right decision. It depends on what perspective they’re looking at.”
«My perspective is that I want to fight for the championship, but it is a pity that we cannot do it from a fair fight. On Friday we had a problem with the hybrid unit and on Saturday another problem. We weren’t close enough, but not because of us» has added a Tänak who is now 53 points behind Kalle Rovanperä, a difference that could have been 46 points had Ott won the rally.
A look back at the Acropolis Rally, Round 11 on the WRC calendar, from a Hyundai perspective
Understand Ott Tänak
Julien Moncetdirector of Hyundai Motorsport, has wanted to soften the atmosphere within the structure and has even shown that he understands his driver’s reasons: «Sure I can understand Ott’s frustration.. I would also have understood Thierry’s frustration if we had swapped places with him. It’s a really difficult situation that everyone hates».
«You can’t make everyone happy. We had some internal talks, but in the end we decided to keep the positions we had. It is a difficult situation and in the end we have made this decision. That’s all »added a Moncet who knows that the relationship with Ott Tänak is not the best.
title options
Reflecting on the impact that this decision could have on Ott Tänak’s title options, the head of Hyundai has almost thrown balls out: «It’s always possible, but even if you look at Thierry. The chances are pretty small for both of them, but I don’t think they’re nil.”
«We need Kalle Rovanperä to make other mistakesbut it is not impossible and as long as there are possibilities we will continue to push. Today we have taken a good step in the constructors’ championshipwhich is also very important for us» concluded Julien Moncet.
Photos: Red Bull Content Pool