Elfyn Evans Clinches Historic Safari Rally Kenya Victory
Elfyn Evans won the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, marking his back-to-back FIA WRC victories. He extended his championship lead over Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak after a smooth drive, despite minor issues. Toyota’s lead in the manufacturers’ standings was reduced to 26 points against Hyundai, while Takamoto Katsuta experienced a heartbreaking retirement.
Elfyn Evans achieved a remarkable victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, marking his first consecutive wins in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The Welsh driver, representing Toyota, effectively navigated the difficult terrain, finishing 1m09.9 seconds ahead of Estonia’s Ott Tänak, while Belgian champion Thierry Neuville secured third place, marking Hyundai’s inaugural double podium in the region.
Following this victory, Evans extended his championship lead to 36 points over Neuville, although Neuville and Tänak earned extra bonus points during Super Sunday and Power Stage. Tänak trails by three additional points, while Kalle Rovanperä, a two-time world champion, fell 57 points behind after retiring due to an electrical issue with his Toyota.
In the manufacturers’ standings, Toyota’s lead over Hyundai has been reduced to 26 points, as Hyundai outperformed them by 22 points during the rally.
Evans experienced a relatively straightforward journey to victory, encountering only minor setbacks—a 360-degree spin and an intercom failure—both effectively managed. He expressed gratitude towards the Kenyan audience and praised his team for their efforts, stating, “A huge well done to the team, they did a great job.”
Despite initially leading the rally, Tänak faced difficulties when his Hyundai suffered driveshaft failure. However, he capitalized on Rovanperä’s misfortunes, which included a broken suspension, to secure second place.
Neuville’s weekend was marked by challenges; he left Friday’s service late due to repairs, incurring time penalties, and spent much of Friday night feeling unwell, which affected his performance. Nonetheless, he managed to secure a third-place finish, earning crucial championship points.
Takamoto Katsuta appeared poised to finish fourth but encountered misfortune in the final stage. While pursuing additional Power Stage points, he rolled his Toyota, resulting in a three-minute setback and ultimately forcing his retirement. He expressed regret over the incident, stating, “Just sorry for the team, nothing else.”
M-Sport Ford’s Grégoire Munster claimed fifth place, with his day involving drama due to a gearbox change resulting from a sudden speed loss. As the 2025 WRC season heats up, Evans’ victory in Kenya strengthens his lead, setting the stage for continued intense competition between Toyota and Hyundai.
Elfyn Evans’ victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya establishes him as a formidable contender in the FIA World Rally Championship, further extending his lead in the standings. Despite various challenges faced by his competitors, including Neuville’s penalties and Katsuta’s retirement, Evans’ performance underscores his driving skill and the strength of the Toyota team. The rally sets a promising tone for the rest of the season, highlighting a closely contested manufacturers’ battle.
Original Source: www.tv47.digital
