Rovanpera sets the pace in Safari Rally Kenya shakedown
Rovanpera’s initial run through the rough and rocky 5.16km warm-up stage saw his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 lead the pack, clocking 1.6 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville’s Hyundai i20 N Rally1.
Former world rally champion Kalle Rovanpera signalled a potential return to form as he stormed to the fastest time in Wednesday morning’s Safari Rally Kenya shakedown.
The two-time world champion, who struggled in the opening rounds of the season, wasted no time showcasing his dominance on Africa’s punishing terrain.
Rovanpera’s initial run through the rough and rocky 5.16km warm-up stage saw his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 lead the pack, clocking 1.6 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville’s Hyundai i20 N Rally1.
Neuville later improved on his final pass to secure second place, while his teammate Ott Tänak completed the top three, finishing 1.9 seconds off the benchmark.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta slotted into fourth, 3.5 seconds behind Rovanperä, with Adrien Fourmaux rounding out the top five.
Grégoire Munster led the charge for M-Sport Ford, placing sixth in his Puma Rally1, narrowly edging out championship leader Elfyn Evans. Josh McErlean and Sami Pajari also secured spots in the top ten.
Meanwhile, controversy brewed in the WRC paddock as Neuville revealed that drivers will limit their stage-end comments this weekend in protest of the Sh1.4 million fine imposed on Fourmaux for swearing during Rally Sweden last month.
“There will be very little communication from us this weekend. We are disappointed not to have had more communication with the FIA since Sweden and Adrien’s fine. Unanimously, we have decided not to communicate at the finish – except at the finish of the longest stage,” said the Belgian.
With two Safari Rally victories already to his name, Rovanperä’s dominant start suggests he is determined to reclaim his winning form as the gruelling rally officially kicks off.
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