The World Rally Championship season ends this week in Japan, but hard rally news is expected in the coming weeks as well. Speculations about next season’s team places are hot, when Ott Tänak confirmed that he will leave Hyundai after this year.
16:22•Updated 16:47
The rumor mill about next season’s stables in the World Rally Championship got going when Ott Tänak announced that he was leaving the Hyundai garage. The current World Rally Championship in Japan is the Estonian’s last race for Hyundai.
According to yet unconfirmed information, drove a Toyota Esapekka Lappi will be transferred to Hyundai next year. Lapland’s Hyundai contract has not been announced, but it is usually well known about rally matters Dirtfish website (you are moving to another service) said it was already certain.
Lapland’s departure from Toyota is also indicated by the fact that the Pieksämäki native stayed in Finland, even though he was supposed to be representing the team in Japan.
Sports expert Henri Haapamäki estimates that the contract for Hyundai would be a great opportunity for Lapland.
– Tänak has shown that Hyundai can win rallies. Full keys to the championship, if only the track is good enough, Haapamäki thinks about Lapland’s possible future with Hyundai.
Kalle Rovanperän manager Timo Jouhki told Urheilu in September that Rovanperä and With Elfyn Evans have contracts for next season. But who or who will drive Toyota’s third car?
We will have to wait a long time for the answer, because Toyota’s team manager Jari-Matti Latvala answered the question rather roundly.
– I said before that why make changes if you can win all the titles. But after Ott Tänak’s departure, the situation has changed. I believe that changes will be seen in all teams. I can’t say more at this stage, everything will be clear in November, Latvala commented on Thursday in Japan.
See Jari-Matti Latvala’s comments in the video below
Ott Tänak is taken to M-Sport
The biggest questions are what Ott Tänak is going to do. Henri Haapamäki sees the most likely possibility that the Estonian will switch to M-Sport Ford next year.
– My opinion is that Tänak is going in the direction of M-Sport. But there is no certain information, everything is completely speculation, says Haapamäki.
On the other hand, there have been health concerns in Tänak’s family this year, so the Estonian might like the rallies even in the gap year.
Ford’s number one man this season Craig Breen has fallen far short of championship contention.
– M Sport would need one decent driver who could drive to victory in rallies and even to the world championship. A jacket like this was available for Breen this year, but there just haven’t been enough results, says Haapamäki.
Would Ogier still want to drive a full season with Toyota?
Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier already had time to finish touring the full World Series, but the 38-year-old Frenchman is still an extremely fast driver.
– Ogier has measured his speed against Rovanperä. Ogier is an old champion and maybe thinks that he is being oppressed when Kalle is considered unbeatable, Haapamäki thinks.
Ogier drove handsomely to victory earlier in the fall in the World Rally Championship in Spain.
– His claws are enough against Rovanperä. I somehow have an itch that a guy of that level doesn’t have to go to practice every now and then, but he could really drag out the whole season and still try for the championship, Haapamäki throws.
The game of chairs for the drivers of the World Rally Championship is just beginning. There will probably be some interesting contract news in the near future.
The schedule of the World Rally Championship in Japan and ‘s broadcasts
Thursday 10.11.
EK 1 (2.75 km) fastest Ogier
Foreboding feelings and EK 1 at 21:00-21:30 TV2
Friday 11.11.
EK 2 (23.29 km) at 00:02
EK 3 (19.38 km) at 01:00
EK 4 (22.44 km) at 01.58 Day care at 04.38
EK 5 (23.29 km) at 06:31
EK 6 (19.38 km) at 07:29
EK 7 (22.44 km) at 08:27
Evening maintenance at 11:07
Peak moments of the day from 11:00 to 11:30 Areena
(Repeat at 21:15-21:45 TV2)
Saturday 12.11.
EK 8 (20.56 km) at 00:07
EK 9 (14.74 km) at 01.00-02.00 TV2
EK 10 (7.08 km) at 02.03
EK 11 (20.56 km) at 05:37
EK 12 (14.74 km at 06.30-07.30 TV1
EK 13 (1.40 km) at 08:36
EK 14 (1.40 km) at 08:49
Peak moments of the day from 11:00 to 11:30 Areena
(Repeat at 21:00-21:30 TV2)
Sunday 13.11.
EK 15 (7.52 km) at 01.00-02.00 TV2
EK 16 (21.59 km) at 02.12
EK 17 (11.60 km) at 03.10
EK 18 (21.59 km) at 04:48
EK 19 Power Stage (7.52 km) at 07.00-08.30 TV1
(Repeat at 10:00-11:30 TV2)