Sébastien Ogier clinches victory in Safari Rally Kenya

By , June 25, 2023

Sébastien Ogier showcased his exceptional driving skills once again as he secured a remarkable victory at Safari Rally Kenya, leading a dominant 1-2-3-4 finish for Toyota Gazoo Racing.

The French rally driver, competing in the World Rally Championship (WRC), emerged triumphant in a thrilling battle against his talented teammate Kalle Rovanperä on the challenging Kenyan terrain.

Sébastien Ogier third win

Ogier’s victory marked his third win of the season from just five starts, solidifying his position as one of the top contenders in the championship.

Sebastien Ogier in World Rally Championship on Saturday. PHOTO/World Rally Championship.
Sebastien Ogier in World Rally Championship on Saturday. PHOTO/World Rally Championship.

Despite facing some nerve-wracking moments during the closing stages of the rally, the experienced driver demonstrated his composure and skill to cross the finish line ahead of Rovanperä.

The Safari Rally Kenya proved to be a spectacular event for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team as they achieved an unprecedented 1-2-3-4 finish.

Speaking after the win, Ogier expresses his amazement at the challenges he faced during the rally. He mentioned that even on the Power Stage, which is the final stage of the rally where additional championship points are awarded, he encountered an unexpected obstacle when a stone hit his windscreen.

“Unbelievable! Look at that, even on the Power Stage I got a stone on the windscreen! We had a lot of issues to face but it could have been a more comfortable rally for us in terms of pace. A lot of misfortune but we brought it home,” he said.

Alongside Ogier and Rovanperä on the podium, Elfyn Evans secured third place, ensuring that Toyota Gazoo Racing occupied the top positions. Takamoto Katsuta completed the team’s impressive performance, finishing in fourth place overall.

Its is Ogier’s second victory in Kenya after 2021 success.

Ogier success

Ogier, in partnership with co-driver Vinzz Landais, has established himself as one of the most successful rally drivers in the history of the sport.

With this victory, he added another accolade to his remarkable career, which already includes eight World Rally Drivers’ Championship titles in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021.

Sébastien Ogier car during Safari Rally Kenya. PHOTO/WRC
Sébastien Ogier car during Safari Rally Kenya. PHOTO/WRC

The French driver’s exceptional record speaks for itself, with an impressive tally of 57 victories in the World Rally Championship.

His eight championship titles, six of which were consecutive from 2013 to 2018, cement his status as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.

Ogier’s achievements place him second only to his former Citroën WRC teammate, Sébastien Loeb, who holds the record with nine titles.

He Ogier joins an elite group of drivers, including Juha Kankkunen, who have won the World Championship with three different manufacturers.

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