Massimo Bettiol
Ott Tänak Continues World Rally Domination In Germany
Amid a brake failure, the Estonian driver secured his fifth win of the 2019 rally season, and landed Toyota’s first 1-2-3 WRC result.
The 2019 Rallye Deutschland was held over four days from August 22 through 25 at the Bostalsee in Saarland, Germany. The Rallye Deutschland is often described as three different rallies all rolled into one, following a tight and twisty vineyard road followed by unforgiving military routes in the Baumholder region. Contested over nineteen special stages, drivers took on an a total competitive distance of 344.04 km (213.78 mi).
Tänak secured his fifth World Rally Championship win in the tenth round of the 2019 season and landed Toyota’s first 1-2-3 WRC result in 26 years. Tänak’s Toyota team succeeded with a puncture-free event, after facing down pressure by Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville. Neuville suffered a set-back in the Panzerlatte stage that dropped him well back in the rankings.
Critcism over Toyota's Yaris took center stage and launched an investigation to the safety of the vehicle, after Tänak encountered brake problems in the penultimate stage. Loss of one front brake forced the Estonian driver to proceed with caution through the rally's longest stage, yet he had enough in hand to head Kris Meeke by 20.8 seconds and Jari-Matti Latvala a further 15.2 seconds behind.
Photos
See All Photos
Tänak and his co-driver Martin Järveoja lead the both drivers' and co-drivers' championships, finishing a full 22 points ahead of defending world champions Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia.
Four rounds remain in the 2019 World Rally Championship season.
Current Championship Standings for Driver
- Ott Tänak | 205 points
- Thierry Neuville | 172 points
- Sébastien Ogier | 165 points
- Kris Meeke | 80 points
- Andreas Mikkelsen | 79 points
