Ott Tänak Remains Competitive at Rally Safari Kenya: Second Place…

Ott Tänak is second in Rally Kenya, 1:57.4 behind leader Elfyn Evans after 16 stages. Despite early technical issues, Tänak showcased strong performance, including stage wins. Heading into the final day, Evans maintains a nearly two-minute lead, with tough conditions impacting the race significantly.

Ott Tänak is currently in second place at the Rally Safari Kenya, the third round of the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) season. He trails first-place driver Elfyn Evans of Toyota by 1:57.4 after completing 16 stages. Tänak has shown improvement this season, finishing fifth at the Monte Carlo Rally and fourth at Rally Sweden last month, demonstrating his competitive edge throughout the events.

The Rally Safari Kenya is the season’s first gravel event, marked by rainy spring conditions and challenging rocky terrains. This year’s rally has posed difficulties for various drivers, including Tänak and his co-driver Martin Järveoja. Historically, Tänak has only reached the podium once in Kenya, in 2021, while previous winners include Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier from Toyota.

During the shakedown, Tänak placed third behind teammate Thierry Neuville. He initially led on day one but encountered several technical issues on Friday that dropped him to third place, despite winning four stages. A broken drive shaft and tire failure severely impacted his performance, causing him to lose time to Evans.

On Saturday, Evans capitalized on his experience to maintain his lead under tricky conditions. Although Tänak recorded solid times, he faced challenges, particularly due to difficulties with his windshield defroster that hampered visibility. Rovanperä suffered a puncture, allowing Tänak to advance to second place after the penultimate stage. He finished strongly by outpacing competitors to win the final stage.

Heading into the final day, Evans leads by nearly two minutes. Neuville is in third, trailing Tänak by two and a half minutes. Rovanperä has fallen to fifth due to his mechanical issues. Sunday’s action features five stages covering 65.99 kilometers, with the first stage scheduled for 5:42 a.m. Estonian time.

In summary, Ott Tänak is in second place as Rally Safari Kenya nears its conclusion, facing a significant challenge from leader Elfyn Evans. Despite facing technical setbacks, Tänak displayed resilience by winning stages and moving up in standings after his competitors faced difficulties. With the final day ahead, the competition remains fierce, particularly as conditions continue to evolve.

Original Source: news.err.ee