Ogier leads Toyota 1-2-3 in WRC Safari Rally Kenya SSS opener

Ogier leads Toyota 1-2-3 in WRC Safari Rally Kenya SSS opener

Sébastien Ogier set the leading pace at Thursday’s Safari Rally Kenya Kasarani Super Special opener in Nairobi and thus leads the rally heading into tomorrow.

As the WRC returned to Africa for the first time since 2002, championship leader Ogier was 0.3 seconds faster than his Toyota team-mate Kalle Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans completed a Toyota 1-2-3, just 0.7s behind Ogier.

Ott Tänak, who drove head-to-head against Ogier in his heat, was fourth fastest for Hyundai, 2.5s behind the seven-time champion. Tänak’s team-mate Thierry Neuville was a further 2.5s slower in fifth.

Takamoto Katsuta, Gus Greensmith, Oliver Solberg, Lorenzo Bertelli and Adrien Fourmaux completed the top 10. Dani Sordo was eleventh fastest and slowest WRC-competitor after going wide in the twisty stage. The Spaniard is 10.5s behind rally leader Ogier.

“Tomorrow is going to be the biggest start. It’s amazing to see such a crowd. So far so good, but tomorrow the real stuff is coming.” said Ogier at SSS1 stage end. Ogier will be first on the road when the action gets underway at 08:09 local time (07:09 CET) with the Chui Lodge stage. A total of 6 stages are to run on Friday. Click here for a quick overview of Safari Rally Kenya!

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WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2021 standings after SS1

#DriversCarTime / Diff. to 1st
1.Ogier / IngrassiaToyota Yaris WRC3:21.5
2.Rovanperä / HalttunenToyota Yaris WRC+0.3
3.Evans / MartinToyota Yaris WRC+0.7
4.Tänak / JärveojaHyundai i20 Coupé WRC+2.5
5.Neuville / WydaegheHyundai i20 Coupé WRC+5.0
6.Katsuta / BarrittToyota Yaris WRC+5.6
7.Greensmith / PattersonFord Fiesta WRC+6.1
8.Solberg / JohnstonHyundai i20 Coupé WRC+7.9
9.Bertelli / ScattolinFord Fiesta WRC+9.0
10.Fourmaux / JamoulFord Fiesta WRC+9.6
11.Sordo / RozadaHyundai i20 Coupé WRC+10.5

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool