Elfyn Evans won the third round of the WRC in Kenya, marking his second straight victory. Ott Tänak finished second after a strong performance was marred by mechanical issues. Thierry Neuville secured third place, while Evans leads the standings with 88 points. The next round will occur in the Canary Islands from April 24 to 27.
Elfyn Evans of Toyota achieved his second consecutive victory in the 2023 World Rally Championship by winning the third round held in Kenya. In a remarkable performance, Estonian driver Ott Tänak from Hyundai secured second place, finishing 1 minute and 9.9 seconds behind Evans. Tänak excelled initially, dominating five of the first eight stages and holding a significant lead before a mechanical failure affected his race.
Despite a strong start, Tänak’s driveshaft broke during the ninth stage, forcing him from the lead to a third-place position. This misfortune allowed Evans to ascend to first place, a position he maintained throughout the rally as his main competitor, Kalle Rovanperä, retired due to a suspension failure. Evans managed to claim the victory with just three stage wins yet consistently finished in the top three across eleven total stages.
After the rally, Evans expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received in Kenya, stating, “I want to thank all the Kenyan people for their warm welcome. An incredible rally! I’m very proud to now be a small part of this special rally’s history.” Meanwhile, Tänak adopted a conservative strategy to ensure he secured second place overall, as reigning champion Thierry Neuville took third amidst time penalties that hindered his performance.
The power stage was won by Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai, who earned additional points. Tänak, finishing third in this stage, also gained valuable points to his overall tally. In the WRC2 category, Gus Greensmith claimed victory, achieving seventh overall, with Jan Solans and Fabrizio Zaldivar taking second and third places, respectively.
Following this rally, Elfyn Evans leads the championship standings with 88 points, with Neuville and Tänak in second and third place with 52 and 49 points. Toyota leads the manufacturers’ standings, followed by Hyundai and M-Sport Ford. The fourth round of the World Rally Championship will take place in the Canary Islands from April 24 to 27.
The recent rally in Kenya showcased significant performances, particularly from Elfyn Evans and Ott Tänak, who both earned vital points for the championship. Evans has cemented his lead in standings, while Tänak’s resilience highlights his potential for the season ahead. With upcoming challenges in the Canary Islands, the competition remains intense as the season progresses.
Original Source: news.err.ee
