Toyota announces Ogier as part of Kenya WRC line-up
Sebastien Ogier will add Safari Rally Kenya to his partial World Rally Championship campaign this year.
Toyota has today announced that the eight-time world champion will join the reigning champion squad for the championship's annual visit to Africa, from 22-25 June.
The rally will be Ogier's fifth appearance of the season, having elected to sit out Sweden in February and the gravel round in Portugal earlier this month.
The Frenchman has already tasted victory twice this year, winning in Monte Carlo and Mexico, followed by a fifth in Croatia, the latter being his last outing in April.
This year will represent Ogier's third Safari Rally start after winning the event's WRC comeback round in 2021, before leading last year's edition prior to a puncture costing him two minutes.
Prior to taking on Kenya's unique gravel roads, the 39-year-old is set to rejoin the WRC at Rally Sardinia next week, where he will start third on the road. Ogier's WRC programme after Kenya is yet to be confirmed.
Safari Rally organisers have also today revealed its full entry list which will feature 34 cars, headlined by 10 Rally1 entries.
Ogier will pilot one of four Toyotas including championship leader Kalle Rovanpera and team-mates Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta.
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
As previously reported, Hyundai will field three cars with its third to be piloted by veteran Spaniard Dani Sordo, who will join full-timers Thierry Neuville and Esapekka Lappi.
Sordo will also pilot the third i20 N, which he had been sharing with the late Craig Breen this year in Sardinia next week, while the team assesses its driver options to fill Breen's position for the remaining rallies of the season.
M-Sport has entered an expanded entry of three Ford Pumas in Kenya, with privateer Jourdan Serderidis joining championship contender Ott Tanak and his full-time team-mate Pierre-Louis Loubet.
A 13-car Rally2 line-up has also been announced featuring title contender Oliver Solberg and last year's WRC2 Championship runner-up Kajetan Kajetanowicz.
Safari Rally Kenya will comprise 362.68 of competitive stage kilometres, which will be completed over four days of competition.
Safari Rally Kenya added to Sordo’s WRC programme
The important WRC discussion triggered by Neuville's outburst
WRC drivers meeting a “constructive” forum for future improvements
WRC drivers meeting a “constructive” forum for future improvements WRC drivers meeting a “constructive” forum for future improvements
Rovanpera gives former F1 stars Hakkinen and Coulthard a WRC outing
Rovanpera gives former F1 stars Hakkinen and Coulthard a WRC outing Rovanpera gives former F1 stars Hakkinen and Coulthard a WRC outing
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
Le Mans 24 Hours: Porsche heads second practice from Ferrari
Le Mans 24 Hours: Porsche heads second practice from Ferrari Le Mans 24 Hours: Porsche heads second practice from Ferrari
Peugeot 'disappointed' by Le Mans speed after missing Hyperpole
Peugeot 'disappointed' by Le Mans speed after missing Hyperpole Peugeot 'disappointed' by Le Mans speed after missing Hyperpole
WRC drivers meeting a “constructive” forum for future improvements
WRC drivers meeting a “constructive” forum for future improvements WRC drivers meeting a “constructive” forum for future improvements
Kobayashi: NASCAR debut will realise childhood "dream"
Kobayashi: NASCAR debut will realise childhood "dream" Kobayashi: NASCAR debut will realise childhood "dream"
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.