Tanak’s Hyundai test, Solberg’s difficult choice

Testing on rough gravel in the south of France, Tanak returns to the team after a year at M-Sport Ford.

In 2022 he was unhappy with the all-new i20 N, but reported to Autosport’s Tom Howard that the car is now much more to his liking.

“There has been some technical issue or some other limitations [with the car in 2022] but this year already the car’s performance was much higher than the previous year,” he said.

“The car at the beginning [of 2022] without any development was tricky but in one year they have managed to improve a lot and this year were very competitive.

“The know-how is here with the people and they all know what to do and how to improve. If you know the areas to improve there is no limitation. The people know what to do but they just needed the time to get it done.”

Meanwhile, recent rumours in the rally media suggest that Oliver Solberg will spearhead a two-car Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 team in 2024.

With backing from Monster Energy, Solberg will team up with Frenchman Stephane Lefebvre, according to Estonian website ‘Ralli’.

M-Sport have remained silent on their driver line-up for next season, but currently Hyundai Rally2 pilot, Emil Lindholm, is a name on many lips as the entry deadline for the Monte Carlo Rally nears.

Adrien Formaux is expected to get his second chance in a Rally1 car with a full program.