The rally has prided itself on being one of the WRC’s jewel in the crown events given its difficulty to win. Its unique stages feature a mix of rough gravel and soft sandy roads sprawled across Kenya’s iconic wildlife-filled savannah. amid changeable weather, poses an altogether different challenge for crews.
Last year’s Safari winner and reigning world champion, Kalle Rovanpera heads to Kenya with a 25-point lead at the top of the standings after finishing third at rain-affected Rally Sardinia earlier this month.
His Toyota squad emerged as the team to beat in Africa 12 months ago, after scoring a dominant 1-2-3-4, but the Japanese marque is likely to face stronger opposition this year from the rapidly improving Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford.
Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, who won the 2021 Safari, will factor in Toyota’s line-up alongside Elfyn Evans, who sits fourth in the championship and two-time Safari podium finisher Takamoto Katsuta.
Hyundai heads to Kenya off the back of its first victory of the season following Thierry Neuville’s triumph in Sardinia, where the Belgian headed a Hyundai 1-2 with Esapekka Lappi in second. This weekend will be Lappi’s first taste of the Safari Rally.
Hyundai faced several reliability concerns last year but if it can replicate its form in Italy, all three i20 Ns, including veteran Dani Sordo should be in contention for victory.
Source: Autosport