In a nail-biting finale to the world’s most challenging rally, Sebastian Ogier emerged triumphant, securing his second win in Kenya and clinching the title of 2023 WRC Safari rally champion.
Ogier, driving for Toyota, faced stiff competition from his teammate and rival, Kalle Rovanpera, with a mere 9.2-second gap separating them before the decisive Wolf Power stage.
Despite a broken windscreen, Ogier displayed remarkable resilience, fighting his way to the finish line to claim victory. The Frenchman’s exceptional performance in the morning loop helped him maintain his lead over Rovanpera, even after a minor incident involving a tree that led him to tackle Oserian 1 without a tailgate.
Rovanpera, aware of his secure championship points in comparison to his closest contenders, opted to maintain a healthy time difference without pushing flat out.
Meanwhile, Ott Tanak demonstrated his skills during the day, setting the stage for an impressive victory in the first drive around Hell’s Gate.
Hyundai faced persistent challenges, as Esappeka Lappi experienced prop shaft issues once again during the opening Malewa 1 stage, while Dani Sordo grappled with power steering failure.
During the afternoon loop, most drivers opted to preserve their cars and tires, preparing for a chance at earning Power stage points. Rovanpera won Malewa 2 with a mere 0.6-second difference to his rival and teammate, Sebastian Ogier.
However, further drama unfolded in Oserian 2 as the Toyota cars, which had showcased absolute dominance throughout the weekend, suddenly encountered issues.
All drivers, except stage winner Takamoto Katsuta, posted slow times. The Toyota cockpit became filled with dust, and a dashboard alarm indicated something amiss. Notably, Rovanpera ended the rally with a “sporting” mud moustache.
The Japanese manufacturer celebrated a historic 1-2-3-4 finish, demonstrating their dominance in the Kenyan Savannah.
Hyundai’s Dani Sordo secured fifth place in the overall standings, while Ott Tanak and Pierre Louis Loubet of M-Sport Ford claimed the sixth and seventh positions, respectively.
Regardless of a troublesome weekend, Thierry Neuville managed to finish in eighth place and earned five bonus points for his Wolf Power stage performances.
As the gruelling Safari rally concluded, Kalle Rovanpera leads the standings with 139 points, 37 ahead of Neuville, while Elfyn Evans completes the top three with 98 points. The event once again showcased its penchant for surprises, even in the final stages.
