Toyota Gazoo Racing showcased their prowess in the exhilarating ‘fesh fesh’ racing at the WRC Safari Rally Kenya, leaving fans thrilled with their performances.
Despite facing challenges on the treacherous Kedong stage, the team proved their mettle in the rugged speed tests.
Leading the pack was Frenchman Sébastien Ogier, who held a slim 2.5-second lead over teammate Kalle Rovanperä as they returned to Service B at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha.
Ogier displayed his skill in the tight and twisty Loldia opener, expanding his advantage with a strong performance in the Geothermal stage.
However, a setback occurred for Ogier in the high-speed Kedong stage when a hybrid unit fault cost him nearly 10 seconds and allowed Rovanperä to close the gap.
Regardless of the disappointment, Ogier remained optimistic, acknowledging the long weekend ahead and hoping for a fully functional car in the afternoon.
After the completion of Loop 1, the standings were as follows:
Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT) – 38:57.4
Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT) – +2.5
Elfyn Evans (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT) – +19.5
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team) – +21.2
Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT) – +29.1
The competition at WRC Safari Rally Kenya promises an exciting weekend ahead, with Toyota Gazoo Racing leading the way.
