Champion Sebastien Ogier believes WRC Safari will be an interesting adventure through the tough Kenyan gravel roads.
Speaking to Kenyan rally media and drivers via zoom during the "RedBull Drivers Hangout", the Toyota Gazoo Racing speedster said: “Our cars haven’t been to these kinds of conditions for a long time; so it will be an interesting adventure. What's more, our generation of drivers have also not competed in Africa, so we are overly excited for the new experience and challenge.”
The seven-time reigning World Champion went on: “We just finished Sardegna in Italy the other day and now we are relaxing at home before we can recharge the batteries for Safari. I don’t know much about the event in Kenya; but what I know for sure is that the conditions can really change within no time; and when heavens open it becomes even tougher as was witnessed during the ARC Equator Rally.”
Ogier nevertheless alluded that the nature of Kenyan gravel roads will require extra caution on tyres! The Safari has over the years upheld its reputation as the world's toughest rally-sport event. This year’s theme, for the event co-sponsored by KCB Bank Kenya, is “The Great Kenyan Experience in Africa.”
Ogier added that the Kenyan round of WRC will be a far cry from what drivers are used to as they will have to change their approach and drive cleverly in order to survive.
“From what I hear, the ground in Kenya has rocks in places, which can be tough on the tyres. It’s no secret that we have issues with tyres at the moment. So tyres remain a key element for the teams on Safari if we really want to stay away from trouble. The rocky stretches on the route course will definitely culminate into punctures if drivers are not very careful,”
Ogier is one of the eight rally-sport athletes from across the globe being sponsored by leading Energy Drink RedBull.
The Frenchman sealed his third win of the season during the weekend’s Rally Italia Sardegna to add up to his stellar drive in Croatia and Monte Carlo where he celebrated a record-breaking eighth win in France’s iconic round of WRC.
Ogier also revealed on Zoom that he has always relished new rallies and challenges.
“What I have liked in my 15-year rallying career is going to new stages.So I'm overly excited to be coming to Kenya for the first time. It's really nice to see the amount of excitement among Kenyan fans have shown regarding the return of Safari to the WRC. WRC has been missing in Africa for 19 years now, and it's exciting to have it back in the series,” he said.
Ogier is going for his 8th WRC title to add to his previous Championship wins in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020.
The 38-year old also has 51 WRC wins under his belt and seven titles of which six are consecutive wins. His success story places him as the second most successful WRC driver, after former Citroën WRC teammate Sébastien Loeb (nine titles).
This year's WRC Safari will take place in Nairobi, Elementeita and Naivasha regions between June 24-27. The event is co-sponsored by KCB Bank Kenya and Toyota Kenya among others.
