Kalle Rovanperä topped the Safari Rally Kenya shakedown, clocking 04:34.5. Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak followed in second and third. Drivers are protesting limited communication with the FIA regarding a fine issued to Adrien Fourmaux for swearing. Grégoire Munster led M-Sport Ford in sixth, with several drivers, including Elfyn Evans, ranking within the top ten.
In the recent Safari Rally Kenya shakedown, Kalle Rovanperä demonstrated an impressive return to form, achieving a significant performance improvement after a lackluster start to the season. The two-time world champion, renowned for his skill on gravel, showcased his abilities on the challenging terrain, clocking the fastest time in the 5.16 km warm-up stage with a 04:34.5.
Following Rovanperä, Thierry Neuville secured the second position with a time of 04:36.1 in his Hyundai i20 N Rally1, having improved his performance in his final run. Ott Tänak, also piloting a Hyundai, finished third with a time of 04:36.4, closely trailing Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta and Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five spots, demonstrating competitive performances in the shakedown.
In a notable turn, Neuville informed the media that WRC drivers would minimize their public communications during the rally weekend. This action serves as a form of protest against a €10,000 fine imposed on teammate Fourmaux for inappropriate language during the previous Rally Sweden. Neuville expressed the collective discontent among drivers, stating, “There will be very little communication from us this weekend.”
Grégoire Munster led the M-Sport Ford team, finishing sixth with a time of 04:39.7 in his Ford Puma Rally1. Championship leader Elfyn Evans followed closely, finishing seventh. Josh McErlean and Sami Pajari also performed well, securing positions within the top ten of the shakedown results, reflecting the competitive spirit of this year’s rally participants.
Kalle Rovanperä’s impressive performance in the Safari Rally Kenya shakedown highlights a potential resurgence in his season as he recorded the fastest time. His competitors, including Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak, performed admirably, while a notable protest from the drivers against the FIA’s disciplinary actions set a serious tone for the weekend. The results showcase the competitiveness of this year’s WRC participants, emphasizing the challenges and dynamics expected in the upcoming race.
Original Source: www.wrc.com
