Autosportfoto

Tänak plans for the future

Estonian rally stars Markko Märtin and Ott Tänak have joined forces and will run one of europe’s premier rally preparation firms – MM Motorsport – together.

The company was established by ex-Ford and Peugeot works driver Märtin in 2006. Toyota Gazoo Racing star Tänak, who drove for the Tallinn-based team between 2009 and 2011, bought into the business earlier this year with an eye to life after his driving career ends.

“I made my own team in 2013,” said Tänak, talking about OT Racing, which has continued to run mainly domestic rally programmes.

“But working together with Markko is more efficient than trying to do things apart – it’s the sensible thing to do. We have been working together since I have known him,” added Tänak, who has been mentored by Märtin throughout his career.

“I have been in this sport all of my life and I want to continue to work like this when I have finished competing. When I stop, this will be the next step.”

MM Motorsport runs Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Rally Challenge Program, preparing and running a Ford Fiesta R5 for Takamoto Katsuta as he competes on the majority of WRC rounds in pursuit of experience.

While Tänak is happy to have MM Motorsport waiting for him when he stops competing, Märtin’s not sure how long he will remain actively involved.

“I don’t think I’ll be around as long as Malcolm [Wilson, M-Sport managing director], put it that way,” said Märtin. “We have plans for the team, it would be good to develop cars as well as running them and, of course, it’s always nice to be involved in a programme to help develop younger drivers in the way we are with Katsuta.

“It’s good for him (Tänak) though. When he stops the business is already up and running and ready for him to walk into.”

Märtin and Tänak are pictured outside the firm’s purpose-built building which was completed just over a year ago.

Zdroj: wrc.com