Tanak second at Tour de Corse

Ott Tanak claimed his second podium finish of the season with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team following a great performance on the Tour de Corse, the French round of the World Rally Championship.

Esapekka Lappi’s hopes of joining Tänak on the overall podium were dashed by a puncture on the final day, but he bounced back to win the Power Stage – his fourth stage win of the challenging all-asphalt event.

The points gained move Toyota up to third in the manufacturers’ championship, while Tanak is up to third in the drivers’ standings.

Tänak had moved into second place by just 0.1 seconds on Saturday’s final stage but made the place his with a superb drive on Sunday morning’s first stage. At 55.17 kilometres, it was the longest stage the event had run since 1986, and Tänak completed it 12.6 seconds faster than anybody else.

“Overall it has been a very nice weekend,” said Tanak. “Corsica has always been the event which I maybe enjoy the least: I have really struggled here in the past. For my first time on proper asphalt with Toyota, I’m happy with second.”

Based on the great speed he had shown during the event, Lappi was also in podium contention coming into the final day, but a mistake on SS11 led to him needing to stop and change a flat tyre. He went on to win the rally-ending Power Stage by 2.2 seconds and gained sixth place in the overall standings.

“The whole team can be very satisfied at the end of this rally. I believe this is one of the most difficult rallies for drivers from northern Europe like ours: I know that from when I competed here as a driver,” said Team principal Tommi Makinen.

FINAL RESULT, RALLY FRANCE (TOUR DE CORSE)

1 Sebastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) 3h26m52.7s

2 Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) +36.1s

3 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1m07.5s

4 Dani Sordo/Carlos del Barrio (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +2m02.6s

5 Elfyn Evans/Phil Mills (Ford Fiesta WRC) +2m06.1s

6 Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC) +2m33.5s