P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Rovanpera: Commanding WRC Safari lead "not even close to being enough"
The reigning world champion showcased impressive performance by setting the fastest times in all six of Friday’s stages, establishing a commanding 56.9s lead over his teammate Elfyn Evans from Toyota. Particularly notable was Rovanpera’s superb drive in stage four where he outpaced Ott Tanak of Hyundai by 11.1s; however, Tanak retired from the day after a later crash. Admitting the toughness of the Safari Rally, Rovanpera emphasized the need to remain vigilant as unforeseen challenges can drastically change the event, especially with potential rain showers. Despite his lead, Rovanpera acknowledged the precarious nature of the competition and the need to maintain focus to navigate the rally successfully in the following days. Toyota had a strong showing overall on Friday, securing the top three positions with Evans in second and Katsuta in third, while Hyundai’s Neuville trailed Evans by 10.4s. Looking ahead, Toyota’s team principal emphasized the team’s need for patience and resilience, expecting tough competition from Neuville and potential weather challenges in the upcoming stages.
