FIA World Rally Championship leader Thierry Neuville took a slender 0.1-second lead over his Hyundai team-mate Ott Tänak after winning Safari Rally Kenya’s opening stage on Thursday.
Thousands of passionate fans were vying for every possible vantage point as this 71st edition of the iconic Safari Rally got underway in the suburbs of Kenya’s capital. It followed a glittering ceremonial start in downtown Nairobi which was attended by President William Ruto and his Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba. FIA Vice President for Sport Africa Rodrigo Rocha, FIA Secretary General for Sport Valerio Iachizzi and KMSF Chairman Maina Muturi were among the guests.
Neuville, who carries a three-point championship lead into this round, edged his i20 N partner Tänak by a single tenth over the 4.84km opener, while reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä completed the top three just 0.7s further back.
Having recorded two non-finishes in Kenya from three previous attempts, Neuville is well aware that the going will get tougher from Friday onwards.
“It will be a challenging event,” Neuville affirmed. “Our fingers are crossed that, this time, we can get through without any technical problems or mistakes. I think we are well prepared, and I am feeling good in the car, so it’s always good to start a rally like this.”
Africa has been home to two of Takamoto Katsuta’s four WRC podiums. Driving a Toyota GR Yaris identical to Rovanperä’s, he dropped just 0.9s whilst posting the fourth-best time ahead of Hyundai rival Esapekka Lappi.