The third WRC event of the season takes place next week in Kenya. The legendary Safari Rally returned to the WRC calendar four years ago and has once again established itself as one of the toughest events in the series.
Last year, M-Sport celebrated Adrien Fourmaux’s third-place finish on the Kenyan savannas. Fourmaux was one of the few top-class drivers who managed to avoid major problems throughout the weekend.
According to Millener, M-Sport is once again ready for the challenges of Safari.
“We all know what the Safari’s about. We know how tough it can be, right up until the final kilometre – this is definitely an event that can bite you,” Millener described on the WRC website.
Safari Rally has been ruthless to competitors every year. Keeping the car intact can make a huge difference in the final standings.
“M-Sport is a team which has its foundations laid in reliability and durability, we’ve always made strong and fast cars. But this is the Safari and absolutely anything can happen. When you start this rally, you’re rolling the dice,” Millener emphasised.
This time, M-Sport no longer has Fourmaux in its lineup, as he now drives for Hyundai’s WRC team. The British squad’s relatively inexperienced drivers, Gregoire Munster and Josh McErlean, are not among the favourites for Safari, and even a podium finish would require a small miracle.
“The priority, I think everybody knows, is keeping the car in the middle of the road and trying to avoid the biggest rocks and the softest sand. Can we make the podium? In terms pure pace, it’s probably early for our drivers,” Millener admitted.
“But like I said, anything can happen and that’s what we have in our minds,” the team boss reminded.
Safari Rally Kenya takes place on 20–23 March.
