World Rally champion Thierry Neuville feels he has been wrongfully handed a penalty for a soar begin attributable to what he believes was a timing glitch at Safari Rally Kenya.
Neuville has already endured an eventful journey to Kenya after solely six of the 21 levels comprising the third spherical of the WRC.
The Belgian suffered a problem together with his i20 N that value him 20 seconds on Thursday’s second stage, which led to his Hyundai group altering a driveshaft and gearbox as a precaution throughout a brief 15-minute service on Friday morning. The work carried out resulted in Neuville being six minutes late to stage three, inducing a one-minute penalty.
Neuville managed to recuperate from 18th to fourth by the point the crews reached stage six, the place he was then judged to have jumped the beginning, incurring an extra 10s penalty, earlier than he picked up a puncture.
Nonetheless, Neuville is hoping the most recent penalty will be overturned as he believes a timing system fault prompted his early begin to the stage.
“To begin with we’re very upset that we’ve already been hit by bother firstly of the rally,” stated Neuville.
“The mechanics did what they may to repair the automobile however 1m20s misplaced to kick off the rally is loads. However it’s higher to afford that right here than anyplace else.
“We had two punctures and particularly on the final one [stage], which value us roughly 10 seconds, so it’s a bit disappointing however, however, we’re again in P4 so it’s not too unhealthy a morning for us.
“We have to analyse as a result of we acquired a time penalty for leaving too early [in stage six] however truly there was an issue with the timing system so we must always get again that 10 seconds.”
When requested if he would enchantment the penalty, Neuville added: “Out of the blue the time switched and our occasions weren’t matching anymore, and in some unspecified time in the future we needed to go [into the stage] and we didn’t actually know when.”
Tanak in command as Safari begins to chunk rivals
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Staff Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photograph by: Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
The sister Hyundai pushed by Ott Tanak dominated the morning, profitable three of the 4 levels to increase his in a single day benefit from 2.4s to 24.4s.
Tanak’s nearest rival was championship chief Elfyn Evans, whereas Toyota team-mate and two-time Safari rally winner Kalle Rovanpera moved to 3rd (+47.1s), aided by a quickest time on stage 5.
M-Sport’s Josh McErlean survived the brutal circumstances to climb to fifth forward of high WRC2 runner Oliver Solberg and Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta.
Katsuta had began the day in second however slid down the order after knocking a tyre off the rim in stage three, which value the Japanese 2m34s. Katsuta was compelled to drive with warning for the remaining levels of the loop.
Likewise, M-Sport’s Gregoire Munster was compelled to give up third spot when he was slowed by the mud of the recovering Sami Pajari, who was delayed after stopping to alter a wheel in stage three.
Munster hit a rock whereas making an attempt to battle his approach by the stage and this contributed to a right-rear suspension failure on his Puma within the following check. Munster managed to nurse his wounded machine again to service after selecting up a front-left puncture on stage six.
On this article
Tom Howard
WRC
Thierry Neuville
Hyundai Motorsport
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