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Ott Tänak, Toyota Gazoo Racing
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Analysis

The inside story of Tanak's shock Hyundai switch

All signs pointed to new World Rally champion Ott Tanak enjoying a long alliance with powerhouse team Toyota, but a late U-turn now has him at Hyundai for 2020. This is the story of how Tanak and Toyota ended up divorcing just at their greatest moment.

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How on earth did it come to this? How did Toyota lose Ott Tanak? Be under no illusion, Toyota has lost its world champion. Persuasive and charismatic as Hyundai Motorsport director Andrea Adamo is, he shouldn't have been allowed anywhere near Tanak.

Something has gone seriously awry to lure Tanak and Martin Jarveoja away from the best-funded team with the fastest car and the brightest future in the championship. How many other manufacturers have a president clapping and cheering at the side of the road in the way Akio Toyoda does?

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Edition

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