Thierry Neuville questions a 10-second penalty for a jump start at Safari Rally Kenya, claiming a timing glitch was responsible. He has incurred significant penalties due to mechanical issues and unexpected delays. Ott Tänak leads the rally with a substantial advantage, while several drivers face difficulties due to harsh conditions.
Thierry Neuville, a prominent driver for Hyundai in the World Rally Championship (WRC), has raised concerns regarding a 10-second penalty he received for a jump start at the Safari Rally Kenya. Neuville argues that a malfunction in the timing system led to his premature departure from the start line. He has already accrued 1 minute and 10 seconds in penalties due to various setbacks during the rally’s early stages.
During the initial phase of the rally, Neuville faced mechanical issues with his i20 N, resulting in a 20-second time loss. As a precaution, his team replaced both the driveshaft and gearbox, which caused him to arrive six minutes late for stage three, resulting in a significant penalty.
Despite these challenges, Neuville managed to improve his position from 18th to 4th by stage six, but incurred an additional penalty for his jump start. He expressed disappointment, stating, “First of all we are very disappointed that we have already been hit by trouble at the start of the rally.”
In contrast, Ott Tänak demonstrated impressive performance, winning the majority of the morning stages and significantly increasing his lead in the competition. His nearest competitor, Elfyn Evans, trails closely behind, with Kalle Rovanpera following in third. Meanwhile, several competitors experienced difficulties due to the tough rally conditions, affecting their overall standings.
Thierry Neuville’s challenges during the Safari Rally Kenya highlight the impact of mechanical issues and timing penalties in the WRC. His contention for the jump start penalty raises questions about the reliability of the timing system. Meanwhile, Ott Tänak’s commanding performance stands out, emphasizing the competitive nature of the rally.
Original Source: www.motorsport.com
