Toyota drivers Oliver Solberg and Sébastien Ogier have both retired from Safari Rally Kenya after suffering engine issues on the way back to service following the morning loop of stages.
That double retirement moves Takamoto Katsuta’s GR Yaris Rally1 to the front of the field after what’s been an extraordinary loop, with problems for all the factory teams.
Toyota’s deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen explained the departure of Solberg and Ogier, saying: “The last stage was quite muddy and tough and the mud went into the engine side and broke the alternators for both of them. And Oliver has also a little bit, let’s say transmission problem as well.
“I have been in Kenya so many times that it doesn’t surprise me something like that. The conditions have been really tough and let’s say the cars should be built for that but on that muddy condition… it can go everywhere. Water is not that bad but the stiff mud sticks everywhere. The mud is like cement and it can destroy small things very easily. There is just a little inch, you know, it went into the alternator and broke the pool (pulley), let’s say, and things all get stuck.
“Simple, very simple, cost you six euro, that part, but if it happens, it happens.”
Solberg and Ogier’s exits follows Elfyn Evans’ retirement with a rear wheel and suspension damage and a right-rear puncture for Sami Pajari.
Katsuta and Pajari sit first and fifth with the Hyundai trio of Thierry Neuville, Adrien Fourmaux and Esapekka Lappi between them. With the weather expected to change through the afternoon, Kankkunen predicted more action to come.
“Taka and Sami are still there,” he said, “and there is no pressure on Taka. I mean, he has been three times in the podium before, so he knows what he’s doing. And, of course, still a long way to go and things can happen, but we try to do the best.
“We just to try to get through in one piece and that’s it. I don’t know the entire situation, but there was quite a lot of smoke coming from Adrien’s [Fourmaux] car and for sure they (Hyundai) are suffering as well a little bit about the mud.
“We do the main service and I think tomorrow will be the hardest Super Sunday. If our guys are a little bit angry and we can fix all the cars, I think the speed what they do tomorrow will be something different.”
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