Hyundai finishes 5th in Safari Rally Kenya

Date: 2023-07-01

Hyundai Motorsport finished in fifth place at Safari Rally Kenya, round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship, in what has been a testing weekend for the entire team due to technical issues and a disqualification.

After a tough and eventful two days of racing for Hyundai Motorsport on Friday and Saturday, Dani Sordo and CÃ¡ndido Carrera were the highest placed Hyundai Motorsport crew on Sunday and consolidated their position with a clean and consistent run through the day's final six stages. Their fifth-place finish scored important points for Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team in the manufacturers' battle.

Finnish team-mates Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm ran into trouble on Malewa 1, the opening stage of Sunday, losing a minute of time due to a technical issue. They were able to get their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid back to service to rectify the problem for the afternoon loop, and finished fifth in the Power Stage. It was a disappointing end to a promising event for the crew, who had been running in a podium-finishing position before their dramas on Saturday.

Crew Notes: Dani Sordo/CÃ¡ndido Carrera

Sordo said: "The Safari Rally Kenya was a really tough event, but at least we took home some points. In the end it was not as bad as it could have been, but we did expect a little more. Today was quite OK, quite rough in some places, but the car was really strong - it is amazing how much you can put these cars through. We were running well and trying not to make any mistakes to bring car the home in fifth, which we achieved."

Crew Notes: Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm

Lappi said: "It was an interesting week in many perspectives. The result is not what we wanted, but that's a different story Â- I need to be pleased with the pace we had and that we were really fighting for the podium positions until our technical problem yesterday. At least in the Power Stage I could try to drive more normally, but overall I have to say it has been a good experience."

Hyundai Motorsport team principal Cyril Abiteboul said: "We are extremely disappointed and the whole team is downhearted. This is an event that the world of rally loves, but it is one where we have never been strong and once again, we weren't this weekend. Unfortunately it has unearthed a number of weaknesses for us that we thought had been addressed, particularly the issues Esapekka had with his prop shaft. We are very sorry for him as he had been working very hard and his great pace put him in a position to fight for the podium.

"Dani delivered what was expected of him and helped to mitigate the cost in the championship fight. Overall, a poor weekend for us, but one that needs to be a useful platform to address our technical issues before the next rally."

Hyundai's Thierry Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe ended the rally in eighth place overall, but their car (#11) was disqualified after Safari Rally stewards found that Neuville had conducted illegal recce activities during the rally.

Neuville's disqualification came on Sunday evening after event stewards found in a hearing that he was guilty of a transgression of Article 35.4.2 of the 2023 FIA WRC Sporting Regulations, which deals with illegal recce activities during the rally.

Article 35.4.2 states that: "After the publication of the Supplementary Regulations, only with the express authorisation of the Clerk of the Course and the FIA Rally Department may any person connected with an entered crew travel on or over the route of a special stage of the rally (except on foot). This rule shall apply until that special stage is terminated, open for public traffic and will no longer be used within the rally."

The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team said in a statement it acknowledges the decision of the stewards to disqualify car #11 due to a breach of Article 35.4.2.

"Despite the circumstances brought forward by the crew in relation to the uncertainty of road limits at this specific event, we understand and take note of the FIA's position to take necessary steps to stop the customary practice of participants accessing the roads to enhance their knowledge.

We will work with the FIA to continue to promote safety and equality of crews on the stages," said the team in the statement.

Next rally

The eighth round of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship will be Rally Estonia, which will take place from 20 to 23 July.

Final results Safari Rally Kenya:

1. S. Ogier/V. Landais; Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid; 3:30:42.5

2. K. RovanperÃ¤/J. Halttunen; Toyota GR Yaris Rally1; +6.7

3. E. Evans/S. Martin; Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +2:58.5

4. T. Katsuta/A. Johnston; Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +3:23.8

5. D. Sordo/C. Carrera; Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid +5:05.4

6. O. TÃ¤nak/M. JÃ¤rveoja; Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid +9:14.4

7. P. L. Loubet/N. Gilsoul; Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid +16:15.7

8. K. Kajetanowicz/M. Szczepaniak; Å koda Fabia Evo + 26:33.4