The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship arrives in Kenya for the Safari Rally. Elfyn Evans seeks to extend his lead, facing competition from Toyota teammates Kalle Rovenpera and Takamoto Katsuta. Hyundai aims to overcome challenges against Toyota’s dominance, while local drivers also seek podium finishes. Rally Kenya marks a crucial event as the championship progresses.
The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship embarks on an adventure in the African wilderness at the Safari Rally Kenya this week, transitioning from the snowy landscape of Sweden. The last European event saw a tense competition, with the top five teams at the Rally Sweden only 32.8 seconds apart after three stages. Elfyn Evans triumphed, securing his tenth WRC win and further establishing Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT’s dominance this season.
Attention now shifts to the Safari Rally Kenya, the first gravel event of the year characterized by high temperatures and considerable stakes. Leading the point standings, Elfyn Evans has a promising chance to extend his lead here, while his Toyota teammates, particularly defending champion Kalle Rovenpera, aim to disrupt his momentum. Rovenpera, last year’s victor in Kenya, seeks to recover from a performance slump this season by returning to his preferred terrain.
Takamoto Katsuta, another Toyota competitor, is also noteworthy, having narrowly missed out on victory last season. Following his solid performance in Sweden, Katsuta is poised to secure his first win. Meanwhile, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, led by Thierry Neuville, seeks to break Toyota’s grip on the event. Neuville currently occupies fourth in the standings after a third-place finish in Sweden, closely followed by teammate Ott Tänak, both of whom face significant challenges this season.
The Hyundai team will utilize an older-spec car in an attempt to improve their performance. In contrast, M-Sport Ford will feature new drivers Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean, who will be tasked with building speed and ensuring they finish the demanding rally.
In the WRC2 series, notable competitors include Oliver Solberg and Gus Greensmith, the latter hoping to replicate his Safari success from 2024. Local talents Karan Patel and Carl Tundo bring additional excitement, looking to leverage home support in hopes of reaching the podium.
The Safari Rally Kenya promises thrilling competition as key players in the 2025 World Rally Championship, notably Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovenpera, vie for supremacy on the challenging gravel terrain. Teams like Hyundai and M-Sport Ford are determined to improve their standings amidst a fierce battle against Toyota’s established dominance. The involvement of local drivers further heightens anticipation for this prestigious event.
Original Source: www.dazn.com
