Former world champion Ott Tanak narrowly avoided serious injury after crashing his Hyundai during the Rally of Finland on Friday. His co-driver, Martin Jarveoja, was taken to the hospital for precautionary tests, according to Hyundai.
The incident occurred on the third special stage when Tanak's car "slid off the road at high speed in tricky and slippery conditions," causing the vehicle to roll and hit a tree. Both Tanak and Jarveoja were able to exit the car without assistance, and the stage was immediately red-flagged to allow medical services to attend to them.
"Tanak and Jarveoja were quickly attended to by the medical team. Jarveoja was taken to the hospital by helicopter for further examination," Hyundai stated. "While both are well, Jarveoja will need to remain in the hospital overnight for observation as a precaution."
Before the rally, the ninth event of the WRC season, Tanak was second in the overall standings, just eight points behind his Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville. After six stages, three Toyotas were leading the rally, with two-time reigning Finnish world champion Kalle Rovanperä ahead of Britain's Elfyn Evans and Frenchman Sebastien Ogier in third. Neuville was fourth, more than 24 seconds behind the race leader.
