Reigning champion Neuville started the new Mzabibu stage at a fast pace, but towards the end of the stage, his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car developed an issue. Neuville’s car took a hit at a junction, briefly lifting onto two wheels. After that, a distinct rattling noise could be heard from the Hyundai.
In the end, Neuville lost 20.4 seconds to his teammate Ott Tänak, who took the stage win. The exact cause of Neuville’s problem remains unclear, as drivers are not giving interviews at stage ends in Kenya.
Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux had an even worse setback, as he was unable to start the rally’s second special stage. According to reports, Fourmaux’s car failed to start on the road section before the stage.
With his fastest time, Ott Tänak moved into the rally lead, 2.4 seconds ahead of Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta. The Japanese driver ran wide on one corner and was lucky to avoid hitting a roadside building and irrigation equipment.
M-Sport Ford’s Gregoire Munster climbed to third place, ahead of Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä. Munster trails Tänak by 2.6 seconds, while Rovanperä sits exactly 3.0 seconds behind after two stages.
Championship leader Elfyn Evans is also in the mix, holding fifth place, just 4.5 seconds off Tänak. Behind him are Ford’s Josh McErlean and Toyota’s Sami Pajari, while Neuville has dropped to eighth in the overall standings.
Safari Rally Kenya continues on Friday with eight special stages. The competition concludes on Sunday.
Safari Rally Kenya standings after SS2/21:
| POS | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | 9:52.3 |
| 2. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +2.4 |
| 3. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +2.6 |
| 4. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +3.0 |
| 5. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +4.5 |
| 6. | Joshua McErlean | Ford | +8.8 |
| 7. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +9.8 |
| 8. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +19.7 |
| 9. | Oliver Solberg | Toyota | +24.0 |
Safari Rally Kenya, itinerary (CET):
Wednesday, 19 March 08:01 Shakedown: Sleeping Warrior SEZ (5.16 km) Thursday, 20 March 11:05 SS1: Super Special Kasarani (4.76 km) 14:43 SS2: Mzabibu 1 (8.27 km) Friday, 21 March 05:13 SS3: Camp Moran 1 (31.40 km) 06:51 SS4: Loldia 1 (19.11 km) 08:04 SS5: Kengen Geothermal 1 (13.18 km) 08:57 SS6: Kedong 1 (15.10 km) 09:52 Service break (40 min) 11:30 SS7: Camp Moran 2 (31.40 km) 13:08 SS8: Loldia 2 (19.11 km) 14:21 SS9: Kengen Geothermal 2 (13.18 km) 15:14 SS10: Kedong 2 (15.10 km) Saturday, 22 March 06:35 SS11: Sleeping Warrior 1 (26.97 km) 07:35 SS12: Elmenteita 1 (17.31 km) 08:33 SS13: Soysambu 1 (28.97 km) 10:59 Service break (40 min) 13:05 SS14: Sleeping Warrior 2 (26.97 km) 14:05 SS15: Elmenteita 2 (17.31 km) 15:03 SS16: Soysambu 2 (28.97 km) Sunday, 23 March 04:42 SS17: Mzabibu 2 (8.27 km) 05:53 SS18: Oserengoni 1 (18.33 km) 07:05 SS19: Hell's Gate 1 (10.53 km) 08:18 Service break (15 min) 09:56 SS20: Oserengoni 2 (18.33 km) 12:15 SS21: Hell's Gate 2 (10.53 km) *Power Stage
