Newly-crowned World Rally Champion Ott Tanak will switch from Toyota to Hyundai after signing a two-year deal with the manufacturer.
Tanak joined Toyota for 2018, having previously risen through the ranks with M-Sport, and placed third in the championship.
Tanak and Toyota emerged as the pacesetters in 2019, taking six wins, and at last weekend’s Rally Catalunya clinched the title, ending Sebastien Ogier’s six-year reign.
On Thursday it was duly confirmed that Tanak will leave Toyota after the upcoming Rally Australia and don Hyundai’s colours through 2021.
“I have big respect for what Hyundai has accomplished; we’ve been fighting closely against each other for a number of seasons,” said Tanak.
“They have always had a competitive team and car, so now it will be interesting to see things from the other side.
“The driver line-up is good, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together over the coming years.”
Tanak joins Hyundai stalwart Thierry Neuville, who has been runner-up for the last four years, while Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo will continue to share the third car.
Hyundai added that it remains in discussions with Andreas Mikkelsen and Craig Breen over their potential 2020 roles.
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