The Safari claims its first victims

In a hectic morning, some drivers were trapped like Elfyn Evans and Dani Sordo, forced to end their day.

Published on 25/06/2021 à 10:48

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Thierry Neuville is the leader in Kenya. ©DPPI/F. Flemish

Very feared, the Rally from Kenya was not very kind to the competitors this Friday.

On very narrow and slippery roads, many people are trapped from the start during this first big day of driving in the Kenyan savannah.

Claimant for victory, Elfyn Evans (Toyota) was the first victim of the Safari. So a few hundred meters from the finish of SS3, the Welshman hit a rock, breaking his right front suspension.

Immobilized on the side of the road, the 2020 world vice-champion saw his day come to an end after only two special stages contested this Friday.

The rock did not spare Elfyn Evans' Yaris

An early finish for us today. Clipped a rock and broken the front right suspension. A huge shame not to experience today's internships @wrcsafarirally @TGR_WRC pic.twitter.com/V3EPX257yI

— Scott Martin (@scottmartinat) June 25, 2021

A few moments later, it's Dani Sordo (Hyundai) who made a mistake on this same SS3. Here too, the fate was immediate: withdrawal for the rest of the day.

#WRC SS3 UPDATE: @DaniSordo & @borjarozada off the road & forced to retire from day one at @wrcsafarirally. #HMSGOfficial

— hmsgofficial (@HMSGOfficial) June 25, 2021

Toyota drivers Sébastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanperä also experienced setbacks this morning. The first encountered rear shock absorber problems which cost him a lot of time during SS4 while the other two suffered punctures.

On the sporting side, Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) distinguished itself this Friday morning by signing two of the three scratches contested, the other finally going to Kalle Rovanperä. Overall, the Belgian leads the way in Kenya with 5” ahead of the Finn and 1” over Ott Tänak (Hyundai).

Affected by mechanical problems, Sébastien Ogier is more than 2'10 behind Thierry Neuville while he still has to sweep the road in the next three specials. His weekend promises to be difficult, very difficult.