Finnish rally driver Kalle Rovanpera has clinched victory at the WRC Safari Rally Kenya with a commanding time of 3 hours and 36 minutes.
Rovanpera's triumph saw him lead the pack, with his Toyota teammate Takamoto Katsuta securing the second position, followed by Ford's Adrien Fourmaux claiming the final spot on the podium.
Guided by co-driver Jonne Halttunen, Rovanpera notched his 12th career World Rally Championship (WRC) victory, securing his second win at the challenging Safari Rally Kenya with a display of maturity and remarkable speed throughout the weekend.
Reflecting on his achievement after the race, he remarked, "It's always special; this event is incredibly tough. It holds legendary status for Toyota, as we've consistently performed well here. As they say in Africa, the leading car is always a Toyota! We executed our plan well, drove smart, and I'm deeply grateful to the team for their unwavering support."
Following his success, Rovanpera has added 20 points to his tally for the season, bringing his total to 31 points and elevating him to fifth place in the standings.
Final Standings
1. Rovanpera, Toyota, 03:36:04.sec
2. Katsuta, Toyota, +1:37.8sec
3. Fourmaux, Ford, +2:25.1 sec
4. Evans, Toyota, +4:20.2sec
5. Neuville, Hyundai, +10:17.5sec
Safaricom-backed rally driver Adrien Fourmaux achieved a remarkable third-place finish in his debut at the Safari Rally, describing the experience as highly challenging.
Reflecting on his achievement, Fourmaux credited his team for their flawless car performance throughout the weekend, dedicating his podium finish to their efforts.
"I'm absolutely thrilled. My sincere congratulations to the team for ensuring flawless car performance throughout the event. This podium is a testament to their hard work," commented Fourmaux.
After accumulating 17 points over the weekend, Fourmaux has now amassed 46 points for the season with nine more rallies remaining. His resurgence could potentially pose a challenge for the Toyota duo of Rovanpera and Evans as the season progresses.
During the sponsorship launch on March 27, Fourmaux highlighted the unique hurdles presented by the Safari Rally, including its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. Despite these challenges, he expressed unwavering determination, stating, "We're ready to face it head-on."
The French driver sealed a sponsorship deal with M-PESA Global International Money Transfer service valued at Ksh20 million.
Meanwhile, despite a less-than-optimal outing at the Safari Rally, Belgian rally driver Thierry Neuville managed to maintain his overall lead, finishing the weekend in fifth position.
Despite facing a tyre blowout on Friday and an engine failure on Saturday, Neuville still managed to collect 19 points, bringing his season total to 67 points.
In contrast, his Hyundai teammate Elfyn Evans currently holds second place in the standings with 61 points, having earned 16 points at the Safari Rally.
Championship Standings
1. Thierry Neuville, 67pts
2. Elfyn Evans, 61pts
3. Adrien Fourmaux, 46pts
4. Ott Tanak, 33pts
5. Kalle Rovanoera, 31pts
6. Takamoto Katsuta, 30pts
