Key Talking Points for WRC Rally Estonia
The World Rally Championship is entering the second half of the season, and the title race is more tightly contested than ever. This weekend’s Rally Estonia marks the first fast gravel event of the year, and it promises to be a crucial test for drivers vying for the championship.
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Elfyn Evans, driving for Toyota, has seen his lead over teammate Sebastien Ogier shrink to just nine points after struggling on rough gravel rallies in Portugal, Sardinia, and Greece. However, the real threat to Evans comes from Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, who has been in excellent form this season. Tanak secured his and Hyundai’s first win since October in Greece last month, placing him 12 points behind Evans. With the right conditions, he could take the lead this weekend.
Can Hyundai Continue Its Momentum?
Hyundai has invested heavily in improving the performance of its i20 N on smooth, fast gravel surfaces like those in Estonia and Finland. This rally will be a key indicator of whether they have closed the gap on Toyota. After ending Toyota’s perfect start to the season in Greece, maintaining that momentum could be vital for both Tanak’s title bid and Thierry Neuville’s championship defense, which has been hampered by setbacks in recent events.
Tanak, who won Rally Estonia in 2020, is considered one of the favorites for another victory. However, he admitted during Thursday’s shakedown that his car isn’t performing optimally. “At the moment, it’s definitely not optimum to take the fight for the win here,” he said. “I can’t say I have much confidence for what is needed here to attack in the corners.”
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Neuville, on the other hand, expressed more optimism but acknowledged there are still areas to improve. “The car is not too bad,” he said. “There are few things we are trying to improve, and I will do some analysis before we take the final decision for the start setup.”
Has Rovanpera Found the Answer?
Kalle Rovanpera, the two-time world champion, has struggled with Hankook’s gravel tires this season. However, he remains confident that he can challenge for a win in Estonia. The Finn has won the last three editions of the event, including a dominant performance in 2023. During shakedown, he topped the times by 0.9 seconds, indicating a strong start.
“I think here my natural way works a bit better already,” Rovanpera said. “It is not such a big struggle.” He is currently 33 points behind Evans, and a win in Estonia could reignite his title hopes ahead of Rally Finland.
Will Evans Be Able to Fight at the Front?
Despite starting first on the road, which often puts drivers at a disadvantage, Evans remains optimistic about his chances. A period of rain before the rally could help even out the playing field. Evans has averaged 21.4 points per round so far, higher than Neuville did on his path to the title. “I would hope so [that we can challenge for a podium], but time will tell how competitive we are,” he said.
Can Sesks Recapture His Speed?
Martins Sesks, driving for M-Sport-Ford, had a breakout season last year with his blistering pace on fast gravel rallies. However, this season has been more challenging. Estonia, with its high-speed gravel stages, could offer a chance for him to return to form. “This is the closest event to home,” he said. “I’m really bad at predictions this year. I think some competitive times through the rally would be nice to see.”
What Can Be Expected from Solberg on His Rally1 Return?
Oliver Solberg, making his Rally1 return with Toyota, faces the challenge of adapting to the new regulations. Despite this, he was fifth fastest in shakedown, suggesting he has the pace to compete. “The feeling in the car is already quite good,” he said. “I have found a good window on the car setup already.”
Will Fuel System Issues Be a Factor?
Fuel system issues plagued several teams in Greece, leading to retirements. The FIA has taken steps to prevent a recurrence, allowing teams to use different materials and replace fuel tanks without additional costs. Toyota, Hyundai, and M-Sport have all implemented these changes. “We have done what the FIA have recommended,” said Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul. “Hopefully this will sort out the problem.”
