Ott Tänak - Future champion?

[EstWRC]

Why did Mäkinen make such a move?

I dont know. For me it wasnt sensible. I've come to conclusion that I don't understand how the things are working in that team.

At the same time, Hyundai also sent out a signal that the negotiations with them had ended. It later emerged that Adamo was fooling the public with this story.

When he said that, it was the most interesting moment in the negotiations. The message was wrong, but he played his game very well… with that move he played Tommi on to the bench (meaning soccer wise)

A quote from Adamo appeared in the media saying that if he had known how you would negotiate, he would never have been a fan of you.

I haven't seen this statement myself, but I imagine what and how he said it. I believe it was probably translated in a wrong way. Rather, he meant that I was a good opponent for him to fight with.

It seemed that in the second half of the season - but maybe before - the relations between Tänak and Mäkinen were not the best.

I can't comment on that.

You believe that this did not affect the possible conclusion of the contract.

All things affect. In fact, the interaction of all things and the calculations affect the talks.

Is your heart happy now that you got the perfect deal?

It was a decision that required balls - to go to the team where his main rival (Neuville) has been for a long time. But I believe this is the right place for him and he can do his own things there. Nowadays, all cars in the WRC series are good. Time will tell how he is doing there: how he gets used to the car and whether the team can adjust it to his comfort.

In the new season, Hyundai will be the only factory team in the WRC Series.

The fact that Citroën quit, the drivers decision plays actually a big role there. The relationship between the French was not the best anymore and you could say that the driver turned the head of the team upside down, and Ogier has a big part of them quitting. There have been talks that Ott also wanted to turn the team in his way, but in fact he just wanted to drive well and not engage in politics.

Top drivers are all great personalities who want perfection. Is it going to interfere at some point?

I can't imagine how it could be different at the top of the sport. This is the only way to achieve something.

[EstWRC]

What was the relationship with the M-Sports team? Tänak has kind of debt of gratitude ahead Malcolm Wilson.

You shouldn't go there because of a debt of gratitude. I have a good relationship with the M-Sports team, but I don't think Tänak should have decided based on what has happened in the past.

However, they were in the negotiating game.

Wilson understands very well what it means to have a top driver for the team. They wanted Ott, but they don't have the options like the others. At the same time, it is clear that M-Sports can do great things. Had Ott stayed there two years ago, he would have probably become world champion last year.

You said that money was not the key when signing the contract. At the same time, Tänak is a world champion and in this status the cream must be stripped.

That is why you should not accept less if you can get more. But I repeat, that decision was not only for money.

You think the near future in Hyundai team will be the strongest and the package they offer is more promising.

The team depends a lot on how it is managed. A good manager can do a lot and a bad manager can turn good things into something bad. The important thing is to have the right direction.

The Hyundai team has been there for a long time. The factory demanded wins, but they didn't come.

Winning titles is not easy. They've been in the picture all the time, but they haven't had as much luck as Toyota. This year they acted a little more aggressively and everything started to work in their favor. There were two men on the Toyota team who could mess things up. You can say they were the Hyundai drivers in Toyota ... The first presumption for winning is still that you are being able to finish the rally.

Are you disappointed that this is how things went with Toyota. Two years ago, you were probably expecting a longer cooperation?

The cooperation with Toyota was attractive and it would have been nice to continue together, especially as a world champion.

[EstWRC]

This year's season says you're currently the world's best rally manager. Your driver was crowned World Champion.

I do not agree with manager status. We've been doing things with Ott for ten years. My role has been different and changing. Someone should help the driver with such activities, and I have done as much as I can and can do. I worked to get Ott what he needed. But the manager is the one who controls his drivers. We do what he wants, not what I want. We can discuss together, but he decides.

What was your emotion when Tänak secured the world title?

Of course, it is good to see that the last ten years of work came with a proud finish and this has led to the maximum. It is also good to see that the speed legend and driving style I initiated is good enough to win the title. Of course, Ott has further developed this. It's nice that I've been on a journey where one person can fulfill their dream of life. It was definitely a cool experience.

Could Tänak become the next long-term king of the WRC series?

That's hard to say. He goes to the Hyundai team where everything is new and the competition is very strong. I don't think he will lose his driving skills - moreover, I think this is a team that wants all their drivers to drive very fast. As a driver myself, I experienced a different situation where the engineer knew best how things work and it didnt matter if the drivers hits the road or not. I believe everything is in Otts hands and he will manage it.

In pure speed, he hasn't had any opponents for a couple of seasons.

This is a bit of an arbitrary statement. There are different days and different rallies where one thing or another may be better suited for some drivers, but on average he has been still the fastest. You can't see what happens next because in January everything starts again from scratch. The title can affect the driver very well or very badly. The driver himself may not know exactly what will happen.

[EstWRC]

that was an hell of a interview, 4 posts long. lol....i did mostly with google translate and corrected the things what google translated oddly.

the first part is on page 41 if someone starts reading from this page.

his comment about Citroen leaving is also very interesting.

[Allez Andruet]

Thanks EstWRC!

That was a candid interview, now let's just wait if Mäkinen and/or Jouhki want to counter attack... get ya popcorns ready!

[Kradovech]

It's clear that Märtin is pissed off at the finnish media, thats probably the reason he agreed to such a long interview. A good read. Lets see how Toyota replies.

[meh]

It's clear that Märtin is pissed off at the finnish media, thats probably the reason he agreed to such a long interview. A good read. Lets see how Toyota replies.

To be precise - he clearly says that it's not media's fault as they write what they have told. Problem is with sources.

Now I wonder, what is the actual impact from Jouhki - first direct shitstorm via media, and second - how strong influence he has over Mäkinen and what kind of "advises" he have been giving.

[AnttiL]

Or how much influence Jouhki has from Mäkinen in his comments?

Like already said, that's one hell of an interview, thanks to EstWRC for translating!

[meh]

https://www.facebook.com/PostimeesSp...214310126/?t=3

check from 20:18+ how Tänak and Ogier are smiling when Mäkinen is talking about signing Tänak's contract. Any body-language experts here?

This Tänak's body language on GB press-conference was disturbing me - the face said clearly "nice bullshit, dude". It all makes sense now.

[meh]

Or how much influence Jouhki has from Mäkinen in his comments?

Like already said, that's one hell of an interview, thanks to EstWRC for translating!

Good point. And now I have another wonder - if and how something will be reviewed from Japan.