Tänak Takes Second in Sardinia as Hyundai Scores Crucial Championship Points

Olbia, Sardinia – June 8, 2025 – Hyundai Motorsport has clinched its sixth podium of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season at a fiercely contested Rally Italia Sardegna, with Ott Tänak and co-driver Martin Järveoja finishing a hard-earned second overall. The result marks the Estonian crew’s third podium of the year and tightens the pressure at the top of the drivers’ standings as the season approaches its halfway point.

Sunday’s closing stages unfolded over two new tests—San Giacomo-Plebi (25.19km) and Porto San Paolo (13.70km)—introducing fresh challenges to an already unforgiving event. Tänak and Järveoja entered the final day trailing Sébastien Ogier by 11 seconds. A focused and calculated effort saw them claim their sixth stage win of the weekend on SS15 and finish third in the all-important Power Stage. Despite Ogier’s late-stage error narrowing the final gap to just 7.9 seconds, Tänak was unable to repeat last year’s stunning upset.

“We didn’t come into today feeling comfortable to push the limits,” said Tänak. “We did our absolute maximum. It’s frustrating to finish second to Seb again—he’s been strong this weekend. At the moment, we just don’t have the full package to beat the Toyotas.”

Nevertheless, Tänak’s 24-point haul (including Power Stage and Super Sunday results) reduces his deficit in the championship to just 25 points behind current leader Elfyn Evans, setting up a compelling second half of the season.

Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe, meanwhile, salvaged valuable points after an unlucky start to the weekend. A rear-end incident on Friday curtailed their hopes of a top finish, but a gritty Sunday run—including a blistering Power Stage time that was second only to Ogier—earned the Belgian duo four bonus points and one additional from Super Sunday.

“Considering our road order, taking five points is not too bad,” reflected Neuville. “We’ve had a tough weekend, but I believe the tide will turn. Everyone in the team is working flat-out, and I know the results will come.”

Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria also returned to action on Sunday after overnight repairs to their Hyundai i20 N Rally1. Although out of overall contention, they posted a strong fourth-place time on SS14 and focused on gathering data and momentum ahead of the next round.

“There are some positives to take,” said Fourmaux. “The target was a clean rally, which unfortunately didn’t happen, but I’m determined to improve and bounce back in Greece.”

François-Xavier Demaison, Hyundai Motorsport’s Technical Director, praised the team’s resilience while acknowledging the tough competition posed by Toyota.

“We were hoping for a repeat of last year’s final-stage twist, but it wasn’t to be,” said Demaison. “Ott’s performance was near flawless, but his puncture on Saturday proved costly. Thierry delivered a strong Power Stage despite an early road position. We’re still in this fight, and the Acropolis will be critical.”

Tanak Takes Second In Sardinia As Hyundai Scores Crucial Championship Points

Looking Ahead: Acropolis Rally Greece

The championship now heads to Rally Greece—famously dubbed the “Rally of the Gods”—which moves to a new late-June slot for 2025. Known for its punishing terrain and sweltering heat, the Acropolis presents a formidable challenge where reliability and strategy are as important as outright pace. Hyundai will look to regroup and capitalise on their growing momentum as they chase down Toyota in both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships.

2025 FIA WRC Championship Standings (Post-Sardinia)