Reigning world champion Thierry Neuville set the early pace at the Safari Rally Kenya after posting the fastest time during Thursday morning’s shakedown session in Naivasha.
The Belgian star clocked 4 minutes 33.1 seconds on his third and final pass through the brand-new 6.31-kilometre Nawisa stage, finishing 1.8 seconds ahead of Oliver Solberg, who led the charge for Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Neuville’s appearance also marked a personal milestone as he made his 185th start in the World Rally Championship, moving past rally legend Sébastien Loeb on the championship’s all-time participation list.
The Nawisa shakedown offered drivers their first real taste of the notoriously punishing Safari Rally conditions. The test route climbed through a rocky quarry before dropping into narrow tracks riddled with deep ruts. Recent rainfall made matters even tougher, leaving sections slippery and grip levels unpredictable.
Speaking after the run, Neuville said the rally’s changing conditions would make it difficult to predict the outcome.
“I don’t think anyone can predict the final result here this weekend. We need to find the fine line between going fast enough and not too fast. The conditions are going to be horrendous at some points,” he said.
Finnish youngster Sami Pajari set the third fastest time, while championship leader Elfyn Evans came in fourth.
Eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier — the only active driver with multiple Safari Rally victories — completed the top five, finishing ahead of Esapekka Lappi.
Ogier warned that this year’s rally could prove even more demanding due to the heavy rains that have hit the region in recent days.
“It’s more challenging than ever. The rain has been intense, so some sections are going to be very, very challenging. It will be about survival,” he said.
There was also a positive start for the M‑Sport Ford World Rally Team camp, with Josh McErlean finishing seventh ahead of Takamoto Katsuta. Fellow Irishman Jon Armstrong placed ninth on his Rally1 gravel debut.
French driver Adrien Fourmaux completed the top ten, having set his quickest run early before the deteriorating track surface made improvements difficult for most competitors.
Competitive action at the Safari Rally gets underway later on Thursday with Stage 1 – Camp Moran, scheduled to start at 2:30 pm local time, as drivers begin what is widely regarded as one of the toughest rallies on the World Rally Championship calendar.
