In the final part of our spotlight on the three drivers involved in the exciting battle for the WRC title, we focus on Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Ott Tänak.

Last year Tänak arrived at Wales Rally GB on the back of three wins, fanning the flames of a title bid which had risen from the ashes.

Midway through the event, the Estonian could have been forgiven for asking rival Sébastien Ogier if he could borrow the crown. Just to try it for size. Because, for sure, it would be sitting on a non-French head for the first time since 2003 come the end of the season.

And then came that left-hander in Sweet Lamb that broke the Toyota. And Tänak’s heart. The sails which had billowed above the Yaris sagged, the wind was gone. The game pretty much up.

What a difference 12 months makes. Seventeen points up, this year’s championship hangs in the balance.

That Tänak has the speed to seal the deal across the last three rallies this year is beyond question. His numbers speak volumes: five wins from 11 starts and he’s led for 97 stages.

To put that into perspective, he’s been at the top of the timesheets longer than Ogier, Thierry Neuville, Jari-Matti Latvala, Dani Sordo, Elfyn Evans and Kris Meeke put together. That’s dominance.

The Estonian led a Toyota Gazoo Racing 1-2-3 in Germany this year

What we need to see now is control from Tänak and Toyota. Ogier and Neuville are the challengers this time around, they have to chase, push and risk everything.

If the weather’s wet in Britain, Tänak will have the advantage of the best place on the road next week. That will offer the perfect platform for some pre-event psychology and a strong place to build defences.

Tänak is the only one of the top three who hasn’t won any of the three rallies to come, but he has the impetus. Rallying is, of course, a mechanical sport – nobody knows that better than Tänak who suffered an ECU failure last time out on Turkey – but he feels the toughest tests are behind him.

He looks and sounds like a man in control going into the final three rounds. If he can turn those thoughts and words and deeds into points in Britain, Spain and Australia, then Estonia could well be on the verge of its biggest WRC moment yet.

Welcome to the start of the latest chapter in another thrilling WRC season. There’s three in it with three to go.

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