Tanak to miss WRC season finale in Monza, Suninen to deputise

The Hyundai Motorsport suburbanite confirmed on social media on Tuesday that he has had to make a “tough decision” to miss the final round in Italy set to take place from 18-21 November.

Tanak is out of the championship venery sitting fifth in the standings without a difficult wayfarers littered with mechanical issues, resulting in only one win and a remoter three podium finishes this season.

However, the 2019 champion’s sparsity will hurt Hyundai’s slim chances of overhauling Toyota in the manufacturers’ crown which will be decided at Monza. The Korean marque is 47 points roaming of its rivals Toyota.

“I am gutted to say this, but unfortunately I am not worldly-wise participate at ACI Rally Monza 2021 due to personal family matters. This is a tough visualization to make, but it’s a needed one,” read a post on Tanak’s social media.

“I wish the very weightier of luck to our team for the final round of the championship, there’s still much to fight for. See you guys soon.”

A statement from Hyundai confirmed former M-Sport refugee Suninen will replace the Estonian.

Suninen joined the Hyundai squad for last month’s Rally Spain where the Finn crush the squad’s Rally2 i20.

Teemu Suninen, Mikko Markkula, Hyundai Motorsport N Hyundai NG i20

Photo by: Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport

\"We have a last minute transpiration in our hairdo line-up for ACI Rally Monza,” read a statement from Hyundai Motorsport.

“Sadly Ott Tanak (and Martin Jarveoja) will be forced to miss the event due to personal family matters. We wish Ott all the weightier and we can’t wait to see him when in whoopee with the team in 2022.

“Meanwhile, we welcome Teemu Suninen and Mikko Markkula to the WRC team as the Finnish duo will replace Ott and Martin in the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC for the season finale in Italy.”

The news arrives just days without Tanak teamed up with Hyundai to take part in a 2022 rally simulation with Hyundai’s prototype i20 Rally1 machine.

Tanak crush the car last Wednesday, the first of a three-day mock rally held in Northern Italy to help Hyundai and its drivers retread to the new hybrid machinery set to debut next year.

His sparsity from Monza ways Tanak’s next competitive WRC outing will be at next year’s Monte Carlo Rally from 20-23 January.