I think the apparent change in speed of the Yaris after the wing modifications also might have had a role.
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This kind of stuff will not going to happen in Estonia. Petter is entertainer, he enjoys it, he fires it up and this is his way to do it. Tänak is quite opposite, he prefers to come out from rally car and disappear to forest to be with family (or at least without public attention).
2020 Yaris GR-4 coming...
https://www.evo.co.uk/toyota/yaris/2...and-a-true-wrc
They surely keep their promises; this Yaris homologation special was announced 2 years ago: https://www.motorsportforums.com/sho...ing-WRT/page24
It’s a sort of 2 in 1; their new WRC gets an improved base and general costumers can now buy a WRC related car, just like in Gr.A days.
Tänak typically lead by 30-40 secs before launch on Saturday on almost every rally between Finland 2018 and 2019, then suddenly a month later he is fighting with both Neuville and Ogier for 2-3 secs per stage max. Similarly stages with average speed over some 120 kph used to be Toyota 1-2-3 in that period, that doesn't happen any more.
Note that Hyundai and Citroen did no changes (homologation) to their cars since Finland. Toyota had to resize the wing.
Toyota team will off course claim the wing did nothing at all, cause following different rules than other teams for 2,5 years is rather problematic. As you might recall it seems the whole WRC allive crew got a gag order about it too. Not a single mention when the very different wing arrived in Turkey, while they used a lot of time to comment on Hyundai adding one extra small fin for Finland.
Nah, Makinen just told their drivers (I mean Tanak): put foot of gas pedal so it can be more fun 😅
Confirmed... its 4WD. Basically a Lancer or STI made by Toyota which is awesome!