The 2019 World Rally Champion retired from WRC at the end of last season. However, the Estonian driver has recently returned behind the wheel as a Toyota test driver, helping the Japanese manufacturer develop its brand-new 2027-specification rally car.
He was working on asphalt in Rome.
As part of this assignment, Tänak took to the stages again this weekend at the Rally di Roma Capitale; driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 as the race's O-B car, together with his navigation assistant Martin Järveoja. Toyota sent Tänak to Rome to collect data on the rally's asphalt stages.
The Rally di Roma Capitale is expected to be upgraded from the FIA European Rally Championship to the WRC next year, replacing the Rally Sardinia as the Italian leg of the race.
“"Never say Never"”
When asked if a return to WRC or Toyota next year was possible, Tänak did not rule out the idea.
“Honestly, never say never; but there’s no plan at the moment,” Tänak told Rally Dreamer TV.
Tänak also praised the stages in Rome, believing they met the standard required by the World Rally Championship.
“Saturday’s stages were surprisingly challenging. There was a lot of bad asphalt and the roads were quite dirty. It was tough, but they were very good stages,” Tänak told Rallylink.it.