The 2019 world champion has been struggling to unlock the set-up sweet spot in his Puma this season which has hampered the Estonian’s pace outright pace.
In Portugal last month, Tanak identified that the car’s suspension was an area earmarked for improvement. Since the event, M-Sport’s suspension supplier Reiger has provided upgraded components which were run for the first time during the team’s pre-event test last week.
While Tanak is unsure if the new developments had solved all of his issues, the 35-year-old is confident his Puma has made a step forward.
“I really needed this test. Reiger brought some updates and it worked quite okay," Tanak told Autosport.
“We have made some steps since Mexico but in Portugal, the biggest struggle was with suspension and they have come up with some new solutions, so we have definitely made the first step and it felt better [in the test].
“It is a bit early to say if we are completely there. We have definitely improved.”
The Puma impressed on Sardinia’s rough gravel roads last year when Craig Breen finished second, while Pierre-Louis Loubet scored a career-best fourth.
Source: Autosport