Safari Rally Kenya – Rovanperä manages his lead, Hyundai upset

As the stages and kilometers progress, the list of participants dwindles in Kenya. The Safari Rally once again lived up to its reputation as a ruthless race on Saturday morning. The number of victims is growing: Fourmaux, Greensmith then Thank you late morning. 

If there is a stable that passes between the drops, or rather between the dust, it is Toyota. The Japanese team is still at the head of the rally, with its four drivers in the top 5. The most consistent of them, Kalle Rovanperä, retained his place as leader of the Safari Rally. The Finn even slightly extended his lead to bring it to 19″4 over Elfyn Evans. The Welshman set the fastest time on the first special of the day.

The vice-world champion took 2nd place overall from his teammate, Takamoto Katsuta. The latter had received a correction of his time after being hampered by Breen during SS7 and was able to recover a few seconds. The Japanese was, however, unable to maintain his runner-up position, notably because of a puncture in SS10.

Contrary feelings at Hyundai in Kenya

As for the Korean team, the day started very well. THE Hyundai i20 were finally on pace with the Toyotas. The proof is, Thierry Neuville set the best times on SS9 and SS10. Ott Tänak, for his part, was targeting 3rd place overall in Katsuta. The Estonian even came back to 5 seconds from the podium before the last stage. But bad luck: the number 8 car was not able to finish SS10. A few kilometers from the finish, the 2019 world champion was forced to stop due to a mechanical problem.

Problem for Ott Tänak a short distance from the finish and when he had the best time!! 😮

He is at a standstill and the hopes of a podium are disappearing ❌#WRCSafariRally pic.twitter.com/eRKhxrMBQh

- CANAL + Sport (@CanalplusSport) June 25, 2022

On the French side, the spirit is more one of pleasure than of victory after yesterday's setbacks. Sébastien Ogier re-entered the top 5 following Tänak's stoppage. The Gapençais is hoping for other mishaps ahead of him to recover positions, he who is more than a minute and a half behind Thierry Neuville, 4th. Sebastian Loeb also left this Saturday morning after his abandonment yesterday. With Isabelle Galmiche, the duo achieved good times (2nd in SS9), but their general classification will not allow them to play for points.

For Adrien Fourmaux and for M-Sport In general, the problems continue. The Frenchman first suffered a puncture on SS8 and then a broken suspension. The Lille player then hampered his teammate Craig Breen, blocked behind him for a few minutes. Fourmaux finally gave up for the second time in 2 days. In the same stage, Gus Greensmith lost control of his Ford Puma in a corner. The car was then stuck on its side. The Briton was able to restart before finally giving up after SS2.

Mad Max: Safari Road 😬 #MSPORTERS #GoFurther #WRC #GivesYouWings pic.twitter.com/j8tlUaNU0D

- M-Sport (@MSportLtd) June 25, 2022

The general classification after SS10: 

The full ranking of Safari Rally Kenya can be found here.

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