In a stunning turn of events at the Safari Rally, Swedish rally driver Oliver Solberg, who was leading the competition, had to retire after experiencing mechanical failures. After completing 13 out of the 20 stages with a decisive lead of 42.6 seconds over his teammate Sébastien Ogier, both drivers faced unexpected challenges during the transport stretch heading into the lunch service.

The cause of the retirements was linked to the tough, muddy conditions that plagued the last stage. As noted by Toyota’s deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen, both vehicles were affected by mud entering the engine compartments, damaging their generators. Additionally, Solberg's car was reported to have transmission issues, prompting an early exit from the race. This incident marks a significant moment in the championship race, particularly as Solberg had previously expressed concerns about the challenging conditions due to recent rain in the area.

Despite the setback, there remains a small glimmer of hope for Solberg and Ogier as they may have the option to restart on Sunday, which would allow them to potentially earn some points in the championship. The rally sees a new leader, Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta, stepping into the forefront as the competition continues amidst these challenging conditions for the teams involved.