The afternoon round of the first stage of the Safari Rally opened under the sign of Sébastien Ogier. The Toyota driver won two consecutive special stages, the PS5 and the PS6, returning forcefully to the top of the overall standings of the event.
Ogier won the 19.17 kilometer Loldia 2 and the 11.68 kilometer Geothermal 2, regaining the lead after losing it at the end of the morning lap.
Elfyn Evans paid for the loss of right rear tire pressure in PS5. This plunged him from first to fourth place overall, while keeping GR Yaris’ poker intact at the top of the event.
Takamoto Katsuta confirms that he has a particular feeling with the African event. The Japanese of Toyota Racing, in fact, thanks to two excellent times, moved to second position in the general classification, just 8 “6 behind Ogier.
Behind him Kalle Rovanpera took advantage of Evans’ problems to move to the podium area. Now the World Championship leader is even third, just 4 “3 from second place and 12” 9 from the top.
The first Hyundai i20 N Rally1 is that of Ott Tanak, fifth, while Craig Breen is sixth at the wheel of the first Ford Puma Rally1 of the M-Sport team. The problems continue for Thierry Neuville, who continues to complain about the engine response of his i20 N.
The Belgian, however, recovered 2 positions by exploiting the retirement of Sébastien Loeb, due to a problem with the engine of his Puma and a mechanical failure that forced Adrien Fourmaux to retire.
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