Thierry Neuville led the standings after the first stage of the Rally Safari Kenya in the FIA World Rally Championship. The Hyundai driver narrowly beat his teammate Ott Tänak by 0.1 seconds to secure the top position. Reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä finished third, just 0.7 seconds behind Neuville. Neuville, who currently holds a three-point advantage in the championship, is aware of the challenges he will face in the rally and hopes to avoid technical issues or mistakes. He feels well prepared and confident in his car as the rally begins.
Takamoto Katsuta, driving a Toyota GR Yaris, recorded the fourth fastest time, trailing Rovanperä by only 0.9 seconds. Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi finished in fifth place. Elfyn Evans, currently in second place in the championship standings, came in sixth in his Toyota. M-Sport Ford Puma’s young driver Adrien Fourmaux closely followed Evans. Gus Greensmith led the WRC2 category, securing the eighth overall position in a Škoda Fabia RS. Grégoire Munster and Oliver Solberg completed the top 10.
The rally will continue on Friday morning with six more stages. The most challenging stage of the day will be the 31.50 km Kedong stage, which will be the final stage of both the morning and afternoon loops.
