P1racenews AI automatic summary:
WRC Safari Rally: Rovanpera stuns rivals to lead as Neuville suffers puncture
Rovanpera, the two-time world champion, impressed with his performance in the partial WRC campaign, opening up a 15.5s lead over Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi despite struggling with an ill-handling GR Yaris. Ott Tanak held third place, followed by Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta and Elfyn Evans. Neuville faced tire drama but managed to secure the sixth position in the race.
The challenging weather conditions on Friday’s leg made it difficult for Rally1 drivers to find balance on the rough gravel stages. Despite facing car issues, Rovanpera won the stage with a left-rear tire coming off, leading to a slim margin over Lappi. Tanak, Lappi, and Neuville all battled understeer in their cars, impacting their performance.
Stage three brought more challenges, with Neuville suffering a puncture and dropping to fifth place overall. Rovanpera continued to dominate, extending his lead over Lappi despite sub-optimal car setup. Tanak remained in the top three, with Evans struggling for balance in his GR Yaris. Rovanpera showcased an exceptional drive in the Kedong stage, widening his lead over his competitors.
