By Timothy Ongaya
Toyota GR team driver, Elfyn Evans is the winner of 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, taking the top spot on the podium in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. He finished 1 minute and 9.9 seconds ahead of Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, who took second place, while Tanak’s teammate, Thierry Neuville, completed the podium in third.
This win marked Evans’ second victory of the season and extended his lead in the World Rally Championship standings, with a 36-point advantage after just three rounds the largest lead ever recorded at this stage of a WRC season.
The rally, which began in Nairobi on Thursday, took competitors deep into the unforgiving terrain of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. Despite facing challenges like tyre deflations and spins early in the event, Evans showed resilience throughout the four-day competition.
Toyota had hoped for a 1-2 result, but Kalle Rovanpera, who was in second place, saw his hopes dashed after sustaining rear suspension damage on Saturday. He was forced to retire from the rally on Sunday due to an electrical issue, leaving him 57 points behind Evans in the championship standings.
Takamoto Katsuta also experienced his fair share of challenges, battling multiple punctures and even heat exhaustion during the rally. Katsuta appeared on track for a fourth-place finish, but a roll on the Wolf Power Stage saw him drop to fifth overall. Fellow Toyota driver Sami Pajari took advantage of Katsuta’s misfortune to finish in fourth.
In the WRC2 category, Gus Greensmith took the victory by a comfortable margin of over three minutes, finishing ahead of Jan Solans, who rolled his car on SS18.
Greensmith’s victory marked another highlight of the rally, while Solans’ misfortune and the strong performances of drivers like Greensmith added extra drama to the event.
The rally’s popularity continues to grow, with over 250,000 fans lining the stages an increase from 188,000 spectators in 2024. The raw spectacle of the Safari Rally continues to captivate motorsport fans worldwide, with Kenya’s rugged landscapes offering a thrilling backdrop to the fierce competition.
Kenyan President William Ruto was present at the event and, in his speech, highlighted the importance of safety in motorsport. He acknowledged the FIA helmet-wearing program, which is championed by AA Kenya and the FIA Foundation. His comments reinforced the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of both competitors and spectators at the rally, underlining the commitment to improving safety standards in motorsport events.
With Evans now leading the championship, the WRC heads to its next challenge: Rally Islas Canarias in April. This asphalt event, held on the island of Gran Canaria, promises to deliver another exciting chapter in the 2025 WRC season. As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on Evans to see if he can maintain his commanding lead as the series moves forward.
Good read