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In Estonian media (at the end of the interview), the tone is that he did not want to make a definite decision (or a "show" as he called it) if there may be a theoretical chance that he may want to drive in the future again. But from the interview, it feels like he just left the door open, but there is no clear plan for this (again, this is how it feels based on the interview, and this may mean nothing).
Link: https://sport.delfi.ee/artikkel/1204...-uuesti-soitma
Nothing new... its been the same for years. If he's not competing for rally wins and the Championship he's miserable and un-motivated.
I dont see him coming back unless he somehow gets a seat at Toyota.
Or there will be somehow other options than M-Sport or Hyundai. Something that can challenge Toyota.
Seems understandable in every way. He has been been there for many years and as a athlete you want to be competitive. When a driver is starting his career, then you obviously take every opportunity to drive and a top 5 finish is a reason for celebration. For him there is no point being there anymore, if you can't be as competitive as you would like to be.
It seems he is open to negotioans, if there is a good offer on the table. 2027 is still so unclear and if Rally2 cars are driving for rally wins, then there might be some options. Eventually even M-sport has to develop something.
For my opinion quite ''cowardly'' reason for quitting the WRC. He is competitive, but the car sadly isn't, at least in the reliability department. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against him, as I want more competition for wins and the title.. As there is chance that potential ''new'' teams could see a value getting in the sport if there could be good drivers for grab, and not just 2 best and 10 nothing special and 77 underperforming for WRC standard... I bet if Toyota would show interest in him for 2026, he wouldn't even hesitate of continuing. So I also understand his decision, as currently there isn't any better option at all. But what would be if Rossi or Hamilton would leave immediately when they didn't won anymore? I know bad example, as there is more competition and it's not this a problem at all, but in WRC every driver currently is crucial for the sport (didn't include M-Sport).
I hope Tanak will be back soon, as Kalle will not be, probably. I honestly thought that Ogier will be the one retiring for good, but having him become very crucial, even if he is after the title(s) with his ''surprisingly game'' not competing the whole season. At least for the time, we will get someone new in the game (Solberg, Fourmaux...).
As regarding M-Sport, I hope they will continue, no matter what car. Usually when they develop new car, they are competitive as hell at first, but they will need to sort out the drivers.
Have wanted to write for a long time something but i didnt know even know where to start. Like one user said here, mentally i was prepared for these news at the end of 2026, soo it was actually a little shock for me when the announcement came after Japan. But now after some weeks and interviews I fully understand the decision.
Everybody here knows that I am huge fan of him and have been following him since the early days, on one hand I am very happy what he achieved, but on the other hand I feel that it wasnt as much as he could have done, when he wouldnt have left Toyota or the Hyundai project would have worked out. As I have understood then Adamo had promised him great things but unfortunately COVID hit the first year with Hyundai, they couldnt develop and test the car, next year Adamo was kicked out of the team and the 2022 car was delayed and was/is fundamentally wrong. But this misfortune or bad luck has been there with him the whole career and kinda describes it but he never gave up.
It was amazing also to see his growth, he was just very fast in the beginning but crash prone, but later on came to be one of the most reliable drivers., also the evolution on technical rallies and on tarmac, although i would say he was quite handy already in the beginning on tarmac.
IMO he is definitely one of the fastest drivers ever in WRC by pure raw natural speed. I remember some of the crazy stage times already from the Pirelli Star Driver days with the Mitsubishi in 2010.
Then in 2011 with the Fiesta S2000 7th place in overall in Sardegna, on Rally Finland showing TOP6 times on stages and competing with the big guys, the debut at the end of 2011 with the WRC machine and on Dmack tyres.
Poland 2015 fighting against the almighty VW-s.
2018 Rally Argentina; 2018 Rally Finland, dont remember what stage and the name of the stage but it was 20km long and he beat Ogier and Neuville there by 15 and 20 seconds who both started just right in front of him. I remember i was at that stage side and I couldnt just believe my eyes when i saw the splits coming in on WRC+, i refreshed it so many times to be sure it isnt a glitch.
The whole 2019 year but especially the 2019 Rally Spain PS STAGE where he overtook Sordo in overall and clinched the title, i mean to go and drive like that with such a pressure, one of his finest stages IMO. I could go on but these are what i remembered from top of my head.
When everything clicked, like it did in 2018 and 2019, then he was just unbeatable.
I will miss him big time but luckily we have youngsters coming up in the ranks, Virves, Jürgenson and Jaspar Vaher, who is the most exciting one for me, the last time i was so excited about a talent was with Tänak.
Like Järveoja said "it has been hell of a ride and i wasnt even the driver!". I will miss him big time and I hope they do at least Rally Estonia next year for final good-bye if they dont come back for full anymore.
I came up on article that he almost left already two years ago, because his wife get very sick and she wish him to continue
Tanak explains why he wants a break:
“Generally, with the seasons [and how they work], it is definitely the worst sport you can have. You just go all around and there is never a break. The calendar is crazy stupid, and you don't have a single break in the year and you go like this for 15 years and that is where you are.
I'm not sure if I will do some local rallies [next year], I’m not sure what is the case at the moment. The first plan is to switch off from the sport and all the work in the background, and let’s see what the rest brings. But I have a few holidays planned.”
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/...year/10781121/
In Saudi Arabia, an Estonian reporter asked both Ott and Martin about their plans for next year in rallying. Ott said that he has scheduled vacations for all the rally weekends so he wouldn't have time to follow any rallies (and therefor also participate). Martin said that he won’t think about rallying for a couple of months and will then see what life brings. Don't know if he meant for both of them or just about his personal plans.
But let's see, having read all the articles and watched all the interviews, it is clear that they both still love rallying and I'm 99% sure they will drive some WRC rallies in the future (Ogier's car is free during the Rally Estonia ;) ). It's just this calendar is built this way that there is no time to rest from rallying.
Wait till he gets a real job and finds out most people work a lot more than the 14 weeks + a few testing days he does.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC