Tanak crashes out of Rally GB in SS16

M-Sport World Rally Team pilot Ott Tanak has retired from Wales Rally GB after crashing in Sunday's opening stage.

The incident happened 5.05km into the 10.64km Brenig 1 test when the Estonian ran wide on a right hand bend. Tanak and co-driver Raigo Molder both escaped unharmed, but were unable to continue as their Fiesta RS WRC sustained damaged to the rear left.

Tanak had been running fourth overall, having finished day two with a 14.7s cushion over nearest rival, Hyundai's Dani Sordo.

"It's hard to explain what happened," Tanak said back in service. "It wasn't a proper off. The left wheel was just slightly off line and there was a rock which broke a bracket on the wishbone. It was as easy as that - hardly any damage but enough to end our rally."

"There are still many positives that I will take away from this season," he added. "Since Sardinia we have always had the pace to fight for the podium on gravel.

"Things haven't always gone to plan, but for our first year in a manufacturer team we wanted to prove that we had the speed to challenge at the top.

"This is a sport where experience is really important. If you want to carry that speed throughout the weekend you need the experience.

"That is what we have been building this year."