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Ott Tanak says moving from M-Sport Ford to Toyota for the 2018 World Rally Championship was his “best option” to become champion.
Tanak finished third in the drivers’ championship last year – driving alongside five-time champion Sebastien Ogier at M-Sport – taking his maiden rally victory in Sardinia and picking up a second win two rounds later in Germany.
He will join Jari-Matti Latvala and Esapekka Lappi at Toyota this year, in its second season back in the WRC.
The Japanese manufacturer began its return to the championship with a podium in Monte Carlo and a shock win in Sweden, both of which came courtesy of Latvala.
“It was quite easy to see for everyone that the team was doing a really good job last year,” Tanak said on stage at Autosport International during the 2018 WRC launch.
Watch live video from Autosport International
“For its first season, it was very competitive, there is a lot of potential there in the team.
“That was the key, to make sure I am part of this team in the coming years, and I expect to have my best options here to fight for the title.”
Toyota started 2017 strongly but its performance tailed off following Lappi’s maiden win in Finland, its last podium finish of the season with Latvala crashing out of second place on the powerstage in the season finale in Australia.
“We need to win rallies to fight for the championship or to win the title,” Tanak added.
“I just need to get used to the team now, so far the preparation has been going really strongly.
“Already, I feel very welcome in the team and the people in the team are supporting me really well.
“Things are going in a good way – soon in a few weeks we will see how we are compared to the clock [at the season opener].”
The 2018 World Rally Championship will be launched at Autosport International, held on January 11-14. For ticket information, click here.