Multiple world champion Frenchman Sebastien Ogier yesterday attributed his dramatic Safari Rally win to a positive attitude going into the final day of action as he extended his lead at the head of the World Rally Championship (WRC) series. 

Ogier, who admitted that he did not expect to win the race going into the final day, benefitted from the early retirement of Day Two and Day Three leader Thierry Neuville who broke his right rear shock absorber when he hit a rock during the day’s first special stage.

“Well it’s the attitude I always adopt, to never give up and give my best in all conditions. We had to believe that anything was possible.

Today, we woke up geared at fighting for a podium finish, but it turned out to be a fight for victory after Neuville retired,” said Ogier.

He added: “Safari Rally Kenya did not disappoint; it was a very challenging event for everyone with a lot of action. Many things happened and we are happy to come out as the winners.

I’ll carry many memories from the Safari Rally Kenya, it’s been unique experience, very different from the other rallies in the championship, so for sure we will remember and cheer for a long time.

The support I got here and the amazing nature of the people means I am  sure I will come back to the country to visit more.”

Frenchman Ogier came home 21.8 seconds ahead of his Toyota teammate Takamoto Katsuta with the Estonian Ott Tanak third in his Hyundai.

It is Ogier’s 53rd career victory and his fourth this season, putting the Frenchman in control of his quest to collect an eighth title. 

He now has a 34-point lead over Welshman Elfyn Evans with Neuville third, 56 points behind Ogier, who had to claw his way back from seventh after suffering suspension troubles on Friday. 

He added: “I am now shifting my focus to Estonia where we already did a test before I came to Nairobi and I think we are even better prepared for Estonia than we were prepared for Safari.”

Neuville, who held a 57-second lead overnight over Takamoto Katsuta, also in a Toyota, arrived at the end of the first stage with a severely damaged right rear suspension, having lost one minute over 11 kilometres.

“Its heart breaking to end the weekend like this,” said Neuville on Twitter. 

“We had to retire after our suspension broke in SS14 this morning. This is how it is but I feel sad for us & the team.”