Thierry Neuville questions a 10-second jump start penalty at the Safari Rally Kenya, citing a timing system error. Previously, he faced a total of 1m10s in penalties due to vehicle issues. Meanwhile, Ott Tänak leads the rally, having won three of four stages, while other competitors like Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera remain close behind in the rankings.
Thierry Neuville, a prominent competitor in the World Rally Championship (WRC), has expressed dissatisfaction regarding a recent 10-second penalty incurred for a jump start during the Safari Rally Kenya. Neuville contends that this penalty stemmed from a possible timing system error. Already facing difficulties in the event, he had accumulated penalties amounting to 1 minute and 10 seconds prior to this incident, an unfortunate commencement to the competition.
Neuville’s challenges began when he experienced an issue with his Hyundai i20 N, which cost him an additional 20 seconds during the second stage. In response, his team undertook a precautionary change of the driveshaft and gearbox during a brief service, resulting in him being six minutes late for the subsequent stage, which triggered a one-minute penalty. Despite these setbacks, Neuville made a significant recovery from 18th position to fourth place by stage six, where he was assessed for an early start and subsequently penalized again.
In light of the situation, he stated, “First of all, we are very disappointed that we have already been hit by trouble at the start of the rally.” Neuville expressed hope for a reversal of the jump start penalty, asserting that the timing issue was not a result of his actions. He further noted the frustration of sustaining punctures during the stages, which he believes detracted from their overall performance.
Ott Tänak, driving the sister Hyundai vehicle, showcased an impressive performance, winning three out of four morning stages and significantly increasing his lead from 2.4 seconds to 24.4 seconds. His closest competitor is Elfyn Evans, the current championship leader, while Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time Safari winner, secured third position, benefiting from a strong showing in stage five.
In the competitive field, M-Sport’s Josh McErlean managed to maintain a respectable fifth place, followed closely by Oliver Solberg and Takamoto Katsuta. However, Katsuta’s day deteriorated due to a substantial delay caused by a tyre incident, losing over two minutes in the process. Gregoire Munster of M-Sport also faced difficulties, where he lost third position after a series of setbacks, including a suspension failure that he managed to address before returning to service.
In conclusion, Thierry Neuville’s recent experience at the Safari Rally Kenya illustrates the challenges faced by competitors in rally racing, highlighting issues related to timing penalties and vehicle malfunctions. Despite Neuville’s assertions regarding the errors surrounding his penalties, the performance of his teammate, Ott Tänak, remains noteworthy as he increases his lead in the competition. The ongoing developments indicate a highly competitive environment as teams navigate the complexities of the rally stages.
Original Source: www.motorsport.com
