2019 winner Tänak relishing Chile return

The Estonian is relishing the season’s final gravel outing, safe in the knowledge that nobody has a better WRC record on the Pacific side of the Andes. Last time out Tänak won Chile while marching towards the world title. He’s still in with a shot at this year’s crown, but it’s a far longer shot.

“It was a good rally last time we were there,” he said. “The roads were nice – it was a little bit like Wales in places.”

And that’s a good thing for Tänak too – last time the WRC was in Wales he won there too.

“It’s the last gravel rally of the season,” added the Estonian. “It’s a great event, we’ve been once and won once, so I’m looking forward [for it].

Tänak’s only win of the year has come on the loose – and snowy – surface of Rally Sweden earlier in the season. But the potential of the M-Sport-built Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid and the 2019 world champion has been obvious everywhere.

M-Sport team principal Richard Millener said: “We know what Ott and the Puma can do. I’ve always said there’s no event we’re not capable of winning and that certainly holds true in Chile this week.”