MUNDIAL - CAMPEONATO MUNDOD E RALIS - RALI AUSTRÁLIA

Terça, 20 Novembro 2018 20:55 | Actualizado em Terça, 23 Abril 2024 01:58

Tänak claims top driver hat-trick at WRC awards night

·       Rally fans vote Ott Tänak WRC Driver of the Year for third time

·       Thierry Neuville honoured for dramatic last-gasp Sardinia victory

·       Sydney celebration brings down curtain on thrilling 2018 season

Ott Tänak carried off the top accolade at Monday evening’s star-studded WRC Gala Night awards in Sydney for the third consecutive season.

The Estonian was voted WRC Driver of the Year by fans on the FIA World Rally Championship’s official wrc.com website. His co-driver and fellow countryman, Martin Järveoja, was named WRC Co-driver of the Year.

The pair enjoyed a superb first season with Toyota Gazoo Racing. They won four rounds to catapult themselves into world title contention ahead of last weekend’s enthralling finale at Kennards Hire Rally Australia.

Tänak’s pace also netted the award for Most Stage Wins. His tremendous charge into the title fight during the second half of the year was rewarded with the Michelin Magic Moment award for consecutive victories in Finland, Germany and Turkey. 

Thierry Neuville was another big winner. The Belgian landed the ANONIMO Timing Feat Award for his breathtaking victory at Rally Italia Sardegna, when he overhauled Sébastien Ogier in a thrilling Power Stage shootout to win by 0.7sec.

The Hyundai Shell Mobis driver also lifted the OneBet Jump of the Year award for a spectacular leap at Rally Sweden’s famous Colin’s Crest. Neuville clipped a bank on take-off and flew more than 30 metres in an alarming corkscrew before slamming back to earth on two wheels.

Almost 250 guests, including drivers and co-drivers, team bosses and championship officials, celebrated the most exciting championship season in a generation in the New South Wales capital.

They were joined by city dignitaries, including New South Wales’ Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Adam Marshall, for the star-studded evening at the Museum of Contemporary Art, overlooking the Opera House and in the shadow of the famous Harbour Bridge.

Other award winners included Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, who celebrated their sixth world title with fastest time in the Rally Australia Power Stage the previous day. That earned the Frenchmen the trophy for Most Power Stage Points.

Team-mate Elfyn Evans’ unselfish support during Ogier’s campaign was rewarded with the Asahi Kasei Spirit of the Season award. Evans serviced his own Ford Fiesta in Turkey while his M-Sport Ford mechanics were focused on repairing Ogier’s stricken car.

The event was organised by WRC Promoter and Kennards Hire Rally Australia.

The full list of award winners was:

WRC Driver of the Year – Ott Tänak

WRC Co-driver of the Year – Martin Järveoja

Michelin Magic Moment – Ott Tänak

ANONIMO Timing Feat Award – Thierry Neuville

Asahi Kasei Spirit of the Season – Elfyn Evans

OneBet Jump of the Year – Thierry Neuville

DJI Quote of the Year – Jari-Matti Latvala

Most Power Stage Points – Sébastien Ogier

Most Stage Wins – Ott Tänak

Wrc.com Social Media Star of the Year – Craig Breen

ProGrade Digital Photograph of the Year – Colin McMaster

The 2019 season begins with a high-profile launch at the Autosport International show in Birmingham on Saturday 12 January. The opening fixture of the 14-round series is Rallye Monte-Carlo on 24 - 27 January.