| Ott Tänak |
Rallying runs in the blood for Ott Tänak whose father drove at national level from 1988 – 2003. His father’s interest clearly made a lasting impression on the youngster who has since developed into Estonia’s latest rallying protégé. Having competed in junior rallies and rally-cross events, it was not until 2004 that Tänak made the transition to national rallying. Piloting a VW Golf Mk2 until 2007, Tänak advanced to the Renault Clio for a single season before being mentored by former Ford driver and fellow countryman, Markko Märtin, who aided the youngster’s progression to the world stage. In 2009, Tänak’s career reached a real turning point as he was discovered by M-Sport Managing director and Ford World Rally Team team principal, Malcolm Wilson. Driving the Cumbrian company’s first global rally car - the Ford Fiesta R2 - on its global tour, the Estonian was quick to impress. In a back-to-back comparison with a Citroën C2R2, Tänak set identical times despite a full season with the Citroën and having never previously driven the less powerful Fiesta. Clearly impressed, Wilson signed Tänak to M-Sport for a full five-year development programme. Also in 2009, Tänak took part in the Pirelli Star Driver training programme. Taking victory in the Production World Rally Championship (P-WRC) at the notoriously challenging Neste Oil Rally Finland, Tänak proved that Wilson’s signing had not been in vain. In 2011, the Estonian made his debut in the Ford Fiesta S2000 competing in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship (S-WRC) and racking up an incredible five podium finishes and three outright victories in the process. Despite a nail-biting fight for the Championship laurels, Tänak had to settle for the runner-up spot after his Championship hopes were dashed by an early exit from the final round at the 2011 RACC-Rally de España. Tänak finished his 2011 season by piloting the Ford Fiesta RS WRC under the M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team banner at Wales Rally GB and as part of the Ford World Rally Team alongside Jari-Matti Latvala at France’s Rallye du Var. The youngster impressed on both outings: overcoming numerous issues to claim sixth place overall in Wales and setting a blinding pace to secure his first podium finish on his first asphalt rally with the WRC car in France. 2012 will see Tänak collate further knowledge of the Fiesta RS WRC as he contest a full season in the WRC as the principal points-scorer for the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team.
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