WRC Threatens To Suspend 2 Kenyan Drivers For Breaking Rules

Two Kenyan drivers were on Friday, March 29 slapped with a Ksh71,000 fine by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for allegedly owning spare tyres not approved by the world governing motorsport body at the ongoing WRC Safari Rally.

According to the report submitted by the FIA Deputy Technical Delegate, the two drivers were found to carry two spare tyres produced by Dunlop, which is not the FIA-nominated tyre company instead of Pirelli an FIA partner.

FIA directed the drivers to pay the fine within 48 hours of the notification or risk suspension for the period they will not have paid the fine.

President William Ruto flagging off the WRC Safari Rally at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on March 28, 2024. /PCS

The report indicated that the team manager had confessed that the team was at fault and had forgotten to check the spare tyres before the start of the rally.

One of the drivers had indicated that these tyres were not used in SS1- Super Special Kasarani and on the road section to TC1A.

The report however stated that the stewards considered that it was the driver’s responsibility to ensure throughout the competition that all tyres used are from the FIA nominated tyre company, which in this case is Pirelli.

"Although the spares in question were not actually used either in the road section or in the special stage, there is still a breach of the regulations. For this reason, the Stewards find the above fine to be appropriate in this case," read the report in part.

The duo was reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions by FIA per Article 15 of the 2024 FIA International Sporting Code.

Meanwhile, a dramatic morning session on Friday saw two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanperä claiming a clean sweep of stage wins to propel Team Toyota Gazoo Racing into the lead in the Safari Rally.

However, he ended the day’s opening Loldia test appearing visibly frustrated, complaining of excessive understeer despite posting the benchmark time.

“I don’t want to say any really bad words, but it was horrible,” said Rovanpera, adding “The car is understeering so much, I don’t understand how we can do any time at this stage. We need to improve.”   

Hyundai's Thierry Neuville who led in the opening 4.84km Kasarani Super Special Stage in Nairobi slipped down the pecking order after his rear-right tyre suffered a puncture which damaged most of his rear wing.