Ott Tanak will quit the World Rally Championship following the conclusion of the 2025 season, though he’s not ruling out competitive outings in the future.
The 38-year-old made the decision “as he chooses to dedicate more of his time to his family, business and life beyond rallying”, a Hyundai Motorsport press release reads.
“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,” Tanak said. “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.”
Tanak has taken part in 174 WRC-level rallies since his debut in 2009 and has been a consistent frontrunner since 2017. He has taken 58 podium finishes, including 22 victories with M-Sport-Ford, Toyota and Hyundai.
The Estonian’s career high was his 2019 title with Toyota, ending a decade and a half of dominance by French legends Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier.
