Ott Tanak Takes Lead in Safari Rally Kenya Amid Driver Protests

Ott Tanak leads Safari Rally Kenya after winning the second stage, amidst a protest by drivers against penalties for foul language. Welshman Elfyn Evans and Belgian Thierry Neuville also competed but faced challenges. A tough day lies ahead, with eight stages planned for Friday.

Ott Tanak secured the lead in the Safari Rally Kenya on Thursday, winning the second stage of the opening day while competitors opted for silence in protest against the fine imposed on French driver Adrien Fourmaux for foul language. Fourmaux was penalized 10,000 euros ($10,850) for using inappropriate language during a live broadcast related to Rally Sweden.

In reaction to the FIA’s decision, drivers chose to minimize interviews, often responding briefly in their native languages. The controversy surrounding penalties for swearing had already intensified tensions in Formula One, notably affecting drivers like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc last season.

Welsh driver Elfyn Evans, the championship leader, won the first stage, edging Belgian Thierry Neuville by 1.5 seconds, while Tanak finished fourth. Nonetheless, Tanak reclaimed momentum in the second stage, outperforming Japanese competitor Takamoto Katsuta by 1.1 seconds, with Evans slipping to fifth place after a crash left him in 11th position.

By the end of the first day’s timed sections, Tanak led Katsuta by 2.4 seconds, with Gregoire Munster holding third place. Tanak expressed satisfaction with his performance despite Hyundai’s challenges, as Fourmaux faced setbacks with a car battery issue that prevented him from starting the second stage.

Neuville narrowly avoided disaster in the second stage, sustaining damage to his vehicle after veering onto two wheels, costing him nearly 20 seconds. Two-time champion Kalle Rovanpera found himself fourth overall, just three seconds behind Tanak as he stayed ahead of Evans.

Looking towards Friday, which features eight stages totaling 159.06 kilometers near Naivasha, Tanak noted the difficulty of the upcoming run along the Great Rift Valley cliffs, anticipating that the challenging course may offer a significant display of driving skill.

In conclusion, Ott Tanak has taken the lead in the Safari Rally Kenya amid a protest by drivers against the FIA’s handling of foul language penalties. While Tanak demonstrated commendable performance in the rally, significant challenges await in the upcoming stages. The situation underscores ongoing tensions within the motorsport community regarding disciplinary measures and athlete expression.

Original Source: www.france24.com