Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja to Take Break from WRC After Rally Saudi Arabia

Key facts

• Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja will compete in Rally Saudi Arabia from November 26-29, their last race for Hyundai.
• Tänak, 38, has won 22 WRC races in his career, all with co-driver Järveoja.
• The pair won the world championship in 2019 driving for Toyota.
• Tänak currently sits fourth in the WRC drivers' standings with 213 points.
• Elfyn Evans leads the standings with 272 points, followed by Sebastien Ogier (269) and Kalle Rovanperä (248).
• Järveoja stated: 'It feels like the right time to slow down a bit, be more present, enjoy normal life.'
• The duo's first full WRC victory came in 2017 in Sardinia.
• Tänak has won at least one rally in every season from 2017 to 2025 inclusive.

Final Rally for Hyundai in Saudi Arabia

Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja will drive their last race for Hyundai next week at Rally Saudi Arabia, a gravel event running from November 26 to 29. The Estonian duo, who have been teammates at the Korean manufacturer, are stepping back from the World Rally Championship after this season. Tänak, 38, from the island of Saaremaa, has accumulated 22 WRC victories in his career, every one of them alongside co-driver Järveoja. The pair are hoping to end their current stint on a high note before taking an indefinite break from the sport.

A Career Defined by the 2019 World Title

The highlight of Tänak and Järveoja’s partnership came in 2019 when they secured the world championship driving for Toyota. That year, Tänak won six rallies, the most of any driver in a single season during his career. Their first full WRC victory came in 2017 in Sardinia. Since then, Tänak has won at least one race in every season from 2017 through 2025, including four victories at Rally Finland and a home win in Estonia in 2020, the first time that event was a full-calendar round.

Announcement of a Break, Not a Retirement

On November 9, Tänak announced he would be taking a break from top-level rally driving at the end of the current season. In a statement, Järveoja explained: “It feels like the right time to slow down a bit, be more present, enjoy normal life and spend more time with our families without a stopwatch running.” He added: “What has been will always stay close and who knows, maybe our roadbook still has a few pages left. But for now, as Chuck Norris would say – it’s been one hell of a ride… and I didn’t even have to drive!” Tänak did not rule out a future return, leaving the door open for a comeback.

Strong Gravel Record Ahead of Saudi Arabia

Rally Saudi Arabia is a gravel rally, a surface on which Tänak and Järveoja have excelled this season. Five of their six podium finishes in 2025 have come on gravel, and they will drive the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 'Evo', a car that has performed strongly on that terrain. In the current WRC standings, Tänak sits fourth with 213 points. Elfyn Evans (Toyota) leads with 272 points, just three ahead of teammate Sebastien Ogier (269), while Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota) is third with 248 points.

Uncertain Future for Estonia’s Rally Stars

The departure of Tänak and Järveoja leaves a significant gap in the WRC grid and in Estonian motorsport. The duo have been national heroes since their 2019 title, and their absence will be felt by fans and the sport alike. While the break is not necessarily permanent, no timeline has been given for a possible return. For now, the focus is on ending the season with a strong result in Saudi Arabia, a fitting finale to a remarkable chapter in rallying.

The bottom line

• Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja will compete in their final WRC event for Hyundai at Rally Saudi Arabia (Nov 26-29).
• The Estonian pair won the world championship in 2019 and have 22 career victories together.
• Tänak is fourth in the drivers' standings with 213 points; Evans leads with 272.
• The duo have five of their six 2025 podiums on gravel, the surface of the Saudi rally.
• Tänak has not ruled out a future return to top-level rallying after the break.
• Järveoja’s statement emphasized a desire for normal life and family time without the stopwatch.