The 2019 world champion as soon as once more confirmed flashes of velocity throughout final weekend’s WRC spherical in Portugal however in the end completed fourth, 2m04.1s adrift of the eventual winner Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera.
The occasion was Tanak’s second on gravel following Mexico the place a turbo challenge was among the many issues that halted his cost.
Final weekend the Estonian displayed spectacular tempo via the primary go of levels, main the rally after stage three, earlier than a tyre got here off the rim throughout stage 4, which price him 54.1s and the rally lead.
Tanak likened his automobile to a “wood horse” at occasions and struggled to search out the candy spot on the second passes via levels, earlier than dropping hybrid energy on the ultimate day.
Fortunately, the system returned for the Energy stage permitting him to assert 4 bonus factors to fit into second within the standings, 17 factors behind Rovanpera.
Now with two gravel rallies beneath his belt forward of six consecutive occasions on unfastened gravel, Tanak believes his group now has all the information to enhance the Puma.
“There’s a huge job to do and total it was a demanding weekend. I’ve been struggling fairly laborious now, it’s about understanding how we go on from right here,” stated Tanak.
“It’s my second gravel rally and in Mexico, I used to be not fully assured with what I used to be feeling as a result of we had fairly a little bit of technical bother there, so it was obscure what was lacking or what was occurring.
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, M-Sport Ford World Rally Workforce Ford Puma Rally1
Picture by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
“However I’d say this weekend gave us much more understanding and I’d say they [the engineers] ought to have sufficient info that we may go on from right here.
“When it’s smoother we will drive, for instance not nice however on okay stage, however when it will get tough we’re lacking in fairly a giant manner.
“Final 12 months it will have been place to be in and place to begin however clearly one 12 months has handed and all people is on stage and we’re behind. It’s a huge job to do in a short while.”
Tanak revealed that the Puma has improved since Mexico with developments made to the transmission, though the group have been unable to deliver additional updates for Portugal.
The group had examined a modified rear wing throughout its Portugal pre-event take a look at.
“Since Mexico, we’ve had a transmission improve so that is serving to, however like I stated earlier than the rally we’ve not been capable of deliver any new elements to the automobile which we’ve been working for. Clearly, there’s fairly a bit to do nonetheless,” he added.
The WRC will head to the tough gravel roads of Sardinia for the sixth spherical of the championship subsequent month.