2019 WRC champion Ott Tänak has announced a break from full-time rallying, bringing an 18-season career to a close just hours after the conclusion of FORUM8 Rally Japan on Sunday.
Tänak, most recently driving for Hyundai Motorsport alongside long-time co-driver Martin Järveoja, will complete his WRC career following Rally Saudi Arabia later this month, in order to spend more time with his family. His decision ends a spell of more than 170 WRC starts, 22 rally victories and 58 podium finishes.
Tänak delivered the news in a short statement issued at 19:00 local time in Toyota City, Japan: “After many unforgettable seasons competing at the highest level I have decided to take a break from full-time rallying. This choice has not been easy but this feels like the right time to pause, to reflect and to dedicate more time to my life and family back in Estonia.”
He however did not go as far as closing the door completely on rallying. He continued: “This is not a final good-bye from rallying, simply a chance to reset, recharge and refocus.”
After spells with M-Sport Ford, Toyota Gazoo Racing and Hyundai, Tänak has remained one of the sport’s biggest reference points through the Rally1 era, scoring Hyundai’s only 2025 victory so far.
Source: WRC
