[WRC] Central European Rally (16-19.10.25)

**deephouse** · 20th October 2025, 19:19

Neuville won it, mainly because he took most of every event. He had many issues, but still take everthing he could. Also Rovanpera play a huge role in it not competing full time, Ogier crashing like crazy and Tanak having too much unlucky moments. This year it's similar with Evans. But Evans doesn't have so much issues, he is just maybe too careful or sometimes too slow, but he is the most consistent guy at the moment and it shows. And the award for always second lies on him at the moment, so he need to break that down.

**486** · 20th October 2025, 20:13

Originally Posted by PLuto

But this is normal that TV coverage is delayed. Partly because of technologies and partly to be able to prevent showing pictures in case of something bad happens...

.....something bad, or something good but "undesirable"..... Works both ways. They want to keep control.

**flat_right** · 21st October 2025, 07:58

Originally Posted by denkimi

Maybe that's where hyundai should invest. Build a bigger and better testsite. Different roads, different surfaces.

Sadly doesn't work like this as it has it own rules. It has to have maximum road distance of 12 km (within a diameter of 10 km).

**Fast Eddie WRC** · 21st October 2025, 08:10

Now Tanak says he was never able to test the 2025-spec car on tarmac, hence him using the older Monte-spec car !

https://rallyjournal.com/ott-tanak-m...e-only-option/

**flat_right** · 21st October 2025, 08:25

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

Now Tanak says he was never able to test the 2025-spec car on tarmac, hence him using the older Monte-spec car !

https://rallyjournal.com/ott-tanak-m...e-only-option/

Yes, it was known before the rally, but I think only in the Estonian media. It’s strange that international outlets didn’t pick it up or ask about it. I’m not sure if anyone mentioned it in the forum. He said that something happened to the car before the test, and they weren’t able to fix it, so he played it safe and chose the car whose characteristics and performance were already familiar. And as they had both car available during the testing he tested 2024 version.

After the rally, the Estonian media asked him which car they would use in Japan, and he said that they would discuss it with the team. They can use some data and a base setup, but they need to decide carefully since they can’t test for Japan in Europe. However, it now seems confirmed that they will use the 2024 spec.

**Fast Eddie WRC** · 21st October 2025, 08:41

Given he was the top Hyundai it seems he had the better car anyway.

But as I've said before, things are never straightforward with Tanak and Hyundai. Or at least it seems like that with the way information comes out via him, the Team and local / international rally outlets.

In this case, first it was Hyundai saying he had a new car and engine but avoiding a penalty, then that he chose the 24 Car after a test, then that there was a problem with the 25 Car which was unavailable for the rally, and then that he chose the 24 car anyway as it was a known entity from Monte.