How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout
Drama was in plentiful supply in the World Rally Championship's visit to Kenya for the Safari Rally, which lived up to its reputation as a challenge like no other. As Hyundai's challenge faltered, Sebastien Ogier headed a top four sweep for Toyota but only after defeating Kalle Rovanpera in a tense conclusion that set a new record for the event's smallest winning margin
“I rarely have had to fight like this. Sometimes you have to fight hard against the clock and against your competitors, but this time it was more fighting against all the issues I had to face.”
Such a frank admission from a World Rally Championship legend of Sebastien Ogier's renown is a perfect summary of last weekend’s 70th Safari Rally Kenya. While the event is no longer the brutal 5000km marathon that started the nation’s cultural obsession with rallying back in 1953, the trip to the African wilderness remains one of motorsport most gruelling events, where reaching the finish is an achievement.
Evans: Only takes one slip up to turn WRC title race
Evans: Only takes one slip up to turn WRC title race Evans: Only takes one slip up to turn WRC title race
FIA Rally Star finalist Jurgenson claims third Rally3 victory
FIA Rally Star finalist Jurgenson claims third Rally3 victory FIA Rally Star finalist Jurgenson claims third Rally3 victory
Rovanpera feeling “good pressure” as he closes in on WRC title
Rovanpera feeling “good pressure” as he closes in on WRC title Rovanpera feeling “good pressure” as he closes in on WRC title
Tickford announces Courtney departure from Ford Supercars squad
Tickford announces Courtney departure from Ford Supercars squad Tickford announces Courtney departure from Ford Supercars squad
M-Sport hands Fourmaux Rally1 outing for WRC season finale
M-Sport hands Fourmaux Rally1 outing for WRC season finale M-Sport hands Fourmaux Rally1 outing for WRC season finale
WRC reveals 13-round 2024 calendar
WRC reveals 13-round 2024 calendar WRC reveals 13-round 2024 calendar
Ogier: Hard to know what to expect from WRC’s newest rally
Ogier: Hard to know what to expect from WRC’s newest rally Ogier: Hard to know what to expect from WRC’s newest rally
How Tanak and M-Sport nailed Chile tactics to end their WRC barren spell
How Tanak and M-Sport nailed Chile tactics to end their WRC barren spell How Tanak and M-Sport nailed Chile tactics to end their WRC barren spell
Why Norris must fight Verstappen harder if he’s going to break his F1 win duck
Why Norris must fight Verstappen harder if he’s going to break his F1 win duck Why Norris must fight Verstappen harder if he’s going to break his F1 win duck
FIA GT World Cup confirms all five former winners on Macau line-up
FIA GT World Cup confirms all five former winners on Macau line-up FIA GT World Cup confirms all five former winners on Macau line-up
Verschoor tops Macau entry in bid for second win
Verschoor tops Macau entry in bid for second win Verschoor tops Macau entry in bid for second win
Aston Martin: Simulation data sent us down wrong path with F1 upgrades
Aston Martin: Simulation data sent us down wrong path with F1 upgrades Aston Martin: Simulation data sent us down wrong path with F1 upgrades
How Tanak and M-Sport nailed Chile tactics to end their WRC barren spell
How Tanak and M-Sport nailed Chile tactics to end their WRC barren spell How Tanak and M-Sport nailed Chile tactics to end their WRC barren spell
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.