21 Aug 2017

Tanak takes German Rally

6:25 am on 21 August 2017

Estonian Ott Tanak snatched victory for Ford at the German Rally as world champion Sebastien Ogier reclaimed top spot in the overall standings.

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Photo: Photosport

Tanak took first place ahead of Citroen's Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen.

New Zealand's Hayden Paddon finished in eighth place.

The 29-year-old Tanak took charge of the asphalt when Thierry Neuville suffered broken suspension, and the Estonian held on to his lead to win by 16.4 seconds.

Neuville had arrived in Germany as the WRC leader but dropped out when his Hyundai's left-rear suspension and transmission snapped.

It was Tanak's second rally win of the season after he triumphed in Italy in June.

France's Ogier, the reigning world champion, finished a further 14 seconds behind in third place for Ford.

The result was good enough to move Ogier, who has won the last four championships, above Neuville and into the overall lead with three races left in the championship.