Ott Tänak Second in Rally Kenya Heading into Final Day

Ott Tänak is second in Rally Safari Kenya, 1:57.4 behind leader Elfyn Evans. After a fluctuating performance impacted by technical issues, Tänak aims to capitalize on competitors’ challenges as the event enters its final day with five stages remaining.

Ott Tänak currently occupies second place for Hyundai as he heads into the final day of Rally Safari Kenya, the third round of the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) season. Positioned 1 minute and 57.4 seconds behind the leading Toyota driver Elfyn Evans from Wales, Tänak has experienced a fluctuating performance throughout the rally. He previously finished fifth in the Monte Carlo Rally and improved to fourth place in Rally Sweden last month.

Rally Kenya, characterized by its challenging gravel tracks and wildlife, marks the season’s first dirt event and has presented difficulties for several drivers, including Tänak and his co-driver Martin Järveoja. Despite securing only one podium finish in Kenya, in 2021, Tänak aims for better results this year, particularly against seasoned competitors such as Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier.

Tänak showcased promising results by leading on the first full day after Wednesday’s shakedown, although he faced technical issues on Friday that hindered his performance. After initially establishing a 24.4-second lead, he encountered a broken drive shaft and tire failure, adversely affecting his standings.

On Saturday, Tänak adapted to the challenging road conditions, posting solid times in the morning stages. However, he fell short behind Rovanperä in the 13th stage, only to benefit from Rovanperä’s subsequent puncture, enabling Tänak to ascend to second place overall. He concluded the day’s competition strongly, winning the final 16th stage convincingly.

As the event heads into its final day, Evans maintains a nearly two-minute lead over Tänak, while Thierry Neuville has surged to third, sitting two and a half minutes behind Tänak. The day’s schedule will feature five additional stages covering a total of 65.99 kilometers, starting early at 5:42 a.m. Estonian time.

In summary, Ott Tänak is poised for the final day of Rally Kenya in second place, trailing Elfyn Evans by 1 minute and 57.4 seconds. His performance has been marked by both challenges and notable success, including stage victories amidst tough conditions. As the competition intensifies, Tänak’s progress could hinge on weather unpredictability and competitors’ challenges ahead of the concluding stages.

Original Source: news.err.ee