Compromised Internals

Overview Achievements Vehicles Style & Legacy Teamwork

Overview

Ott Tänak, born in 1987 in Kärla, Estonia, rose from the national rally scene to become one of the most feared competitors in the World Rally Championship. Known early in his career for raw speed and occasional inconsistency, Tänak refined his craft through stints with M-Sport, DMACK, and Toyota Gazoo Racing. By the late 2010s, he had transformed into a championship-caliber driver, blending aggression with calculated precision. His run of victories with Toyota in 2018–2019 broke the Sébastien Ogier/Sébastien Loeb stranglehold on the drivers’ championship.

🏆 Major Achievements

Tänak’s championship win made him a national hero in Estonia and one of the most sought-after drivers in the sport.

Vehicle Highlights

Ford Fiesta RS WRC: Early WRC campaigns with M-Sport, showing flashes of speed.
Toyota Yaris WRC: The car in which he secured his championship, noted for its aggressive handling characteristics.

The Yaris WRC and Tänak became an iconic pairing, with his driving style perfectly matching the car’s sharp and nimble nature.

Driving Style & Legacy

Tänak is renowned for his fearless commitment and ability to carry extraordinary speed through corners. While earlier in his career this sometimes resulted in crashes, by the late 2010s he mastered balancing outright pace with championship consistency. His title win secured his place in rally history as the man who toppled the Ogier era.

Navigation & Teamwork

Co-driver Martin Järveoja became Tänak’s trusted partner from 2017 onwards, their calm yet assertive communication proving vital in high-speed, high-pressure stages. Their synergy was key to winning both rallies and the world championship.

← Previous Driver Thierry Neuville

Back to Drivers Index

Elfyn Evans Next Driver →