The Estonian, alongside co-driver and fellow countryman Martin Järveoja, first joined Hyundai Motorsport at the start of 2020, with the partnership initially spanning three successful seasons.
His first win came at his home event – Rally Estonia – where he and Järveoja led a 1-2 victory for the team. The next win was at the iconic Arctic Rally Finland in 2021, where he secured silverware on the winter snow.
Tänak departed Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team at the end of 2022 before returning for the 2024 season. Wins in Rally Italia Sardegna and Central European Rally contributed to his third-place finish in the championship.
While 2025 has been a challenging year for the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, as it has struggled to extract consistent performance from the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, Tänak still found success on the stages at several rounds of the 2025 WRC season, claiming six podiums and one victory (Acropolis Rally) to date.
Tänak’s participation in the WRC has never gone under the radar, with Estonian flags proudly displayed at many rounds of the championship. His popularity reflects his determination, competitiveness and skill, cementing him as one of the sport’s most revered characters.
His decision to step back comes as he chooses to dedicate more of his time to his family, business and life beyond rallying. The team thanks him for his inspirational moments and dedication to his craft. Despite the highs and lows that the WRC may produce, he has always remained committed to being one of the best.
Hyundai Motorsport will announce its full 2026 WRC line-up in due course.
Hyundai Motorsport President Cyril Abiteboul said: “While we were sad to learn of Ott’s decision, we naturally understand his motivation to step away from full-time rallying. We have achieved a lot together across two very successful eras - from that first electrifying win in Estonia to the 2020 manufacturers’ title, as well as eight victories and many podiums. For all the highs we have celebrated together, there have also been some lows, yet Ott has always remained fully committed. He is one of the finest rally drivers in the world and remains a force to be reckoned with; when he has all the right ingredients, he is unstoppable. Ott has been a true inspiration on and off the stages, and we thank him for his contributions to the success of our team. It may be the second time we are parting ways, but Ott remains part of the Hyundai family. Thank you, Ott – we hope we meet again one day.”
Ott Tänak said: “After many incredible years competing at the top of the WRC, I have decided that the end of the 2025 season is the right moment to step back from full-time rallying. This isn’t a complete goodbye, it’s a chance to reset, recharge and refocus for the future. This sport has been a huge part of my life, but I feel it’s time to take a breath, spend more time with my family and focus on life back home in Estonia.
I want to sincerely thank everyone at Hyundai Motorsport for the incredible years we have spent together, from the engineers and mechanics to the management and all those working tirelessly behind the scenes, and last but not least, all our amazing fans around the world. We have shared victories, challenges and countless memories that I will always carry with me. I am proud of everything we achieved together and deeply grateful for the trust and support the team has shown me. I still love the sport deeply and I’m sure I’ll continue to be around in some way. Thank you once again and see you somewhere down the road!”
