Sébastien Ogier had an almost perfect first day in Rally Kenya. Apart from a hybrid problem at the end of the morning, which caused him to lose a few seconds, the eight-time French world champion dominated the proceedings, winning four of the six specials of the day, including the three in the afternoon taking twenty seconds to his runner-up Kalle Rovanperä. The Finn, winner here last year, opens the way and had a very clean day which allows him to be well in the race for victory.
Already author of a quadruple last year, Toyota was still at the party since Elfyn Evans is a solid third (+43”5) despite a little scare in the last special where he hit a bush just at the edge of the track. The Japanese brand could have occupied the first four places without the misadventures of Takamoto Katsuta who during the second loop first hit a zebra before suffering a big puncture in the last lap of the day.
Fifth at 1’19, Katusta did not take advantage of Thierry Neuville’s retirement to gain a place. The Belgian had to immobilize his Hyundai on SS6 after breaking his left front axle in a compression that didn’t seem particularly dangerous at first glance. Fortunately for the Korean team, Esapekka Lappi had a problem-free second half of the day and moved up to fourth place (+54”0). Third driver on an i20 Rally1, Dani Sordo was not really comfortable at the end of the day and is only 6th (+1’28).
Loubet in great difficulty
Finally M-Sport Ford had another very complicated day with numerous punctures leading to wheel changes in the special. Ott Tänak stopped once and is in 7th place (+3’03) at the wheel of a Puma Rally1 which does not really give him confidence. Pierre-Louis Loubet had to change wheels twice during the day and is in eighth place, 7’04 behind Ogier.
After this first “real” day when the rain that fell in the region carefully avoided the timed sections, Saturday’s stage promises to be even more difficult with higher mileage (an additional 25 km) and stages that are a priori even more difficult. and tricksters. And this time the rain may not be so accommodating with the drivers.
