Marmaris (Turkey) (AFP)
Estonian Ott Tänak (Hyundai) retired in Rally Turkey's 3rd special stage on Saturday morning near Marmaris (southwest) with a steering problem, the South Korean team said.
Leader of the Hyundai team and reigning world champion, Tänak returned to the title race by winning his country's rally in early September.
Seventh Friday evening after the first two stages, he was in attack mode, 6 km from the end of the first special of the day (Yeşilbelde, SS3, 31.79 km) when his Hyundai pulled straight on a fast section and went off the runway without her pilot being able to catch her.
The pilot and his co-pilot did not suffer any injuries in the accident.
The mechanical problem will be investigated upon the return of the car to the Marmaris Service Park, Hyundai said.
The hopes of the Estonian driver in the race for the world title are showered by this premature retirement.
After SS4, Saturday morning, Sébastien Ogier (Toyota), winner last year and leader of the championship, was leading the rally, ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), Elfyn Evans (Toyota) and Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai), in head Friday night after the first two specials.
Two passages in a loop of three specials are scheduled for Saturday during this second day, ie 107 km timed on rocky and very brittle tracks.
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