Ott Tanak Takes Lead in Safari Rally Kenya Amid Driver Protests

Ott Tanak leads the Safari Rally Kenya, winning the second stage amid driver protests against FIA fines for swearing. Elfyn Evans and Thierry Neuville performed strongly, while Fourmaux faced setbacks with a battery failure. Challenging stages ahead could impact the standings further.

Ott Tanak took the lead in the Safari Rally Kenya on Thursday, winning the second stage of the day. His competitors largely abstained from giving interviews in protest against the fine imposed on Adrien Fourmaux for swearing during a live broadcast. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) penalized Fourmaux with a €10,000 fine for using inappropriate language, which has created tension within the rally community.

Leading the competition was Welshman Elfyn Evans, who secured first place in the opening stage, finishing 1.5 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville. Tanak placed fourth initially but then overtook Takamoto Katsuta in the second stage, bringing his overall time to lead Katsuta by 2.4 seconds. Tanak expressed satisfaction with his performance, helping Hyundai amidst challenges.

Fourmaux faced additional challenges as he could not start the second stage due to battery failure. Despite setbacks, he maintained hope to score points. Neuville, another Hyundai driver, experienced a near-disaster in stage two, riding on two wheels and losing valuable time but ultimately completing the stage.

Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time world champion, was placed fourth overall, trailing Tanak by 3 seconds and narrowly ahead of Evans. A tougher set of challenges lies ahead on Friday with eight stages covering 159.06 kilometers in the Naivasha region, including a particularly challenging 32.2-kilometer run along cliffs in the Great Rift Valley, which Tanak believes will be revealing for the competitors.

In conclusion, Ott Tanak has taken an early lead at the Safari Rally Kenya, capitalizing on his performance amidst the backdrop of driver protests against FIA penalties for foul language. Competitors like Elfyn Evans and Thierry Neuville also showcased strong runs despite their struggles. As the rally progresses into a more challenging stage, the competition remains fierce with over 159 kilometers of racing ahead.

Original Source: www.france24.com