P1racenews AI automatic summary:
WRC Safari Rally: Drama strikes Neuville to put Rovanpera firmly in control
Reigning world champion Rovanpera had a strong performance on the day, leading Toyota team-mate Katsuta by 2m08.9s, while M-Sport Ford’s Fourmaux was third. Points distribution will be 18-15-13 for the top three finishers under the new 2024 scoring system. Evans faced setbacks, dropping to fourth due to punctures, while Neuville’s fuel system issue saw him fall to fifth. Neuville voiced frustration and struggled on, yet managed to finish the stage. Katsuta won a stage, taking second overall from Evans, as Rovanpera extended his lead despite challenges. Both Fourmaux and Neuville faced persistent issues throughout the day, affecting their positions in the rally standings.
