Thierry Neuville questions a 10-second penalty for a jump start at the Safari Rally Kenya, blaming a timing glitch. He has faced a total of 1m10s in penalties due to mechanical issues and late arrivals. Meanwhile, teammate Ott Tänak has dominated the event, extending his lead significantly, while various drivers experience mechanical troubles.
Thierry Neuville, a prominent driver in the World Rally Championship (WRC), has expressed his dissatisfaction regarding a 10-second penalty for a jump start during the Safari Rally in Kenya. He attributed the mishap to a potential timing glitch, as he faced significant penalties totaling 1 minute and 10 seconds after just six stages of the event.
Neuville’s challenges began with a mechanical issue in his Hyundai i20 N during the second stage, resulting in a 20-second loss leading to necessary repairs on Friday morning. These repairs caused him to be six minutes late for stage three, consequently incurring a one-minute penalty. Although he managed to climb from 18th to 4th position by stage six, he was penalized for jumping the start, adding another 10 seconds to his time.
Despite his setbacks, Neuville remains hopeful that the 10-second penalty may be rescinded, believing it was caused by a timing system malfunction. He noted, “We need to analyse because we got a time penalty for leaving too early [in stage six] but actually there was a problem with the timing system so we should get back that 10 seconds.”
In contrast, Ott Tänak, Neuville’s teammate, showcased strong performance, winning three of the four morning stages and extending his lead significantly. Elfyn Evans, the current championship leader, trailed him, while Kalle Rovanpera also made a notable advance to third place after achieving the fastest time on stage five.
Several drivers encountered difficulties with mechanical issues and treacherous conditions, including Takamoto Katsuta and Gregoire Munster. Katsuta dropped in ranking after sustaining a tire issue, while Munster faced a suspension failure following a collision with a rock. These challenges highlight the harsh realities of rally driving in Kenya, where drivers must navigate unpredictable terrain and mechanical reliability.
Thierry Neuville’s protest against his jump start penalty highlights the complexities and challenges faced during the Safari Rally in Kenya, further complicated by mechanical issues and timing discrepancies. While Neuville contemplates appealing the penalty, teammate Ott Tänak displays a commanding lead, reflecting the competitive nature of the rally. The event continues to test drivers’ skills amidst difficult conditions, revealing the need for precision and adaptability.
Original Source: www.motorsport.com
