Ott Tanak says if his teammate Thierry Neuville is “smart” on the Rally Japan, he could have no likelihood of winning a second WRC title, although Hyundai allowed its drivers to fight.
Both the drivers' and manufacturers' titles shall be handed out in Japan next month, following last weekend's dramatic Central European Rally.
Neuville could have sealed his maiden world title if he had overtaken Tanak by two points within the three-nation rally, but as a substitute he walked away with a 29-point lead reduced to 25 after Tanak claimed his twenty first profession victory.
This means the title fight shall be selected the asphalt roads of Japan, with the advantage within the hands of Neuville, while Hyundai leads Toyota by 15 points within the manufacturers' race.
Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul confirmed that his drivers are capable of constant to compete in Japan, but he also desires to secure the Korean brand's first manufacturer's crown since 2020.
Although Neuville has a big advantage with 30 points within the table, winning the title is just not an absolute certainty.
“I don't know what difference we can make, but we'll give it our all, but with this scoring system it doesn't make much of a difference,” Tanak told Motorsport.com.
“That's true [a retirement can change things] it definitely relies on how bad Thierry wants it.
“If he is smart in Japan and does a good job, no one will have a chance, but we are also responsible for the manufacturers' championship. We still have a big task ahead of us, so we can't just focus on the driver titles. We are also responsible for the team.”
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photo: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport
Neuville was on the right track to beat Tanaka last weekend and potentially win the world title before two mistakes on stage 12 dropped him from the result in fourth.
Reflecting on a weekend through which his lead over Tanak narrowed, the Belgian believes he achieved his most important goal of maintaining a snug lead within the championship.
“If we look at our goals before the competition, we completely achieved them, coming away with a big lead in the championship in the last round, but also finishing the rally and scoring some good points on Sunday,” Neuville told Motorsport .com.
“So in that respect we were successful, but we are able to still be dissatisfied because we weren't capable of keep the lead.
“If I have a look at the conditions we faced on Saturday and even on Sunday… I'm unsure that on the last day, when the points are confirmed, I might have the ability to take the identical risk because the others.
“It's a convenient lead. Worst case scenario we have now to get six points. In every other scenario, we're doing pretty much.
“We have to search out the appropriate balance [in Japan] because there continues to be something to fight for within the manufacturers' championship and yet we have now a 3rd automotive with Andreas [Mikkelsen] who will go for the push. We have to search out a balance between driving safely but driving well.”
Regardless of the consequence of the Drivers' Championship, Hyundai boss Abiteboul is relieved to have achieved considered one of his two most important goals.
“We can say that we are halfway to our goal of winning a driver's title, but we don't know which one yet and that's why we don't want to celebrate,” he added.
“We accomplished our mission, so it's a relief for us, and for the rest, let's see what we can do in Japan.”
