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L. MathekaWRC Championship leader Ogier wins tough Safari Rally
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 27.06.21. | 14:29
Kenya's Onkar Rai finished the Safari Rally powerstage to become the first driver to complete an African round of the WRC since 2002 and claim WRC3 victory.
Sébastien Ogier snatched an unlikely victory at Safari Rally Kenya on Sunday afternoon to increase his FIA World Rally Championship lead.
🎙️ "It's been an amazing experience to be here. The support we got from the people has been incredible. Thank you so much, you have a beautiful country! #SafariRallyKenya might be a bit shorter compared to the past but the challenge is still very tough. We enjoyed it!" #WRC pic.twitter.com/ht1DvGPcMh
— Sébastien Ogier (@SebOgier) June 27, 2021
When longtime leader Thierry Neuville retired his Hyundai i20 with broken suspension after clipping a rock, the Frenchman demoted Toyota Yaris team-mate Takamoto Katsuta to win the punishing four-day rally by 21.8sec.
Japan’s Katsuta claimed his first WRC podium to seal Toyota Gazoo Racing’s fourth 1-2 result of the season. He finished 47.7sec ahead of Ott Tänak’s i20.
This was definitely one of the most TRYING sections of the World Rally Championship (WRC) SAFARI RALLY in NAIVASHA. The FANS had FUN while the DRIVERS SWEATED IT OUT!#NaivashaRaha! pic.twitter.com/ksQRcdLltT
— Stephen Ndungu 🇰🇪 (@KapaiStv) June 27, 2021
Tänak was fastest through the Wolf Power Stage to claim five bonus points. Kalle Rovanperä scored four points in second in a Yaris, with team-mate Elfyn Evans taking three in third. Ogier secured two points in fourth with Dani Sordo bagging the final point in fifth in an i20.
Meanwhile, All eyes are on Kenya's Onkar Rai for making it to the podium as he clinches victory in the WRC 3 Safari Rally, and 7th overall in the WRC category.
"After our troubles on Friday, we had a really good weekend, really good pace,” said Ogier. “It’s been an amazing experience to be here. The support we got from the local people was incredible. It might be a bit shorter than the old days, but the challenge is still very tough.”
The Safari lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s iconic motorsport events. Rocky and sandy gravel tracks around Lakes Naivasha and Elmenteita in the Great Rift Valley provided a brutal test, while stunning scenery, exotic wildlife and enthusiastic locals portrayed Africa at its best.
Neuville had led for all but two stages until his premature demise, the third rally in succession that Hyundai had retired from the lead with suspension troubles.
“Very hard luck for us, but also for all the team,” said the Belgian. “Three tough rally weekends in a row, and nobody deserved that. We would have deserved three victories in the last three events, but unfortunately we didn’t.”
