Touched by grace, Elfyn Evans wins Safari Rally Kenya and soars in the championship

• Elfyn Evans' dream start to the 2025 season continues! The Welshman won the Safari Rally Kenya with stunning poise, securing his second consecutive victory in three rallies. The championship leader, who led the way on Thursday and Friday, braved the elements and was spared mechanical problems throughout the weekend, unlike all of his direct title rivals.

🥇 Congratulations to the WINNERS of WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2025 👏@ElfynEvans / @scottmartinat@TGR_WRC @Hankook_Sport#WRC | #SafariRallyKenya (I.e. pic.twitter.com/yREARkP9HD

— FIA World Rally Championship (@OfficialWRC) March 23, 2025

• In sometimes extreme conditions, especially on Saturday in the rain, the pilot Toyota was able to combine speed and caution and managed to take care of his Yaris over the four days of racing. The only driver among the Rally1 not to have encountered the slightest problem – apart from a spin on Saturday afternoon without consequences – Elfyn Evans was able to manage his very large lead this Sunday (two minutes ahead at the start of SS18, this Sunday morning) to secure an 11th victory in WRC.
• No 100% Toyota podium this year, since the other two steps of the podium are occupied by two Hyundai, those ofOtt Tänak et Thierry NeuvilleThe two drivers from the Korean team each encountered various mishaps – a transmission problem for the Estonian, gearbox problems, penalties and dehydration for the Belgian – but both were able to withstand the challenges to secure a top 3 finish and big points for Hyundai in both championships.
• The third Hyundai driver, Adrien fourmaux, also had a tough weekend, with two retirements on Thursday and Friday. Nevertheless, the Frenchman ended this Safari Rally Kenya on a good note, with a very good Sunday in terms of accounting. The number 16 was the fastest in the cumulative Sunday special stages and took the five points from Super Sunday, and he won the Power Stage at the end of rally, a total of ten points (out of ten possible) collected this Sunday. A nice consolation after a nightmarish start to the weekend.
• On the other hand, the big loser of the weekend was Kalle Rovanperä. The two-time world champion, still in second place in the rally on Friday evening, lost everything on Sunday morning. Suffering from an alternator belt problem on his Toyota Yaris on the road section between SS2 and SS17, the Finn was forced to return to the service park and retire, a withdrawal that means he leaves Kenya with zero points and a significant loss in the championship.
• Although he didn't risk winning points on Super Sunday and the Power Stage, Elfyn Evans still had a great weekend in Kenya. With his victory, the Welshman takes the lead in the championship with 88 points. His closest rival, Thierry Neuville (52 points), is already 36 points behind in 2nd place after just three rallies! With his retirement, Kalle Rovanperä (31 points) drops to 6th place in the Drivers' standings, tied with Adrien Fourmaux (31 points). Toyota remains in the lead in the Manufacturers' standings with 148 points, ahead of Hyundai (122 points).
• In WRC2, the battle between Gus Greensmith and Jan Solans turned in the Briton's favor after the Spaniard rolled on SS18. The Skoda driver was able to comfortably maintain his lead in the final stages of the day to claim a second consecutive victory in Kenya after his success in Africa in 2024. Fabrizio Zaldivar completed the podium.

WRC – Safari Rally Kenya
General classification*

(Rankings updated after Takamoto Katsuta's retirement)

Super Sunday – Standings

Power Stage – Ranking

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