Since 2021, Toyota has maintained a flawless record at the Safari Rally Kenya, winning every edition of the event. However, this year’s extended 384-kilometre route, combined with treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather, posed a formidable challenge for both teams and drivers.
Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Elfyn Evans initially took the lead at the start of the rally but dropped to fifth place by the end of the second stage. He quickly regained momentum, and by Friday morning, he had climbed to second place, just 24.4 seconds behind Hyundai Motorsport’s Ott Tänak, who had won three of the four morning stages.
The rally took a dramatic turn on Stage 9 when Tänak’s i20 N suffered a driveshaft failure, handing the lead to Evans. Despite spinning twice and suffering two punctures in Saturday’s torrential rain, the Welshman managed to hold onto the top spot.
On Sunday morning, Evans encountered a brief issue with his Toyota, but an on-the-spot repair quickly resolved the problem. In the end, the Evans and Martin duo conquered the gruelling rally, finishing 1 minute 09.9 seconds ahead of Tänak.
With this victory, Evans became the first Briton to win the Safari Rally since Colin McRae in 2002. He left the weekend with 27 points, extending his championship lead to 36 points, which is the largest gap recorded after three rounds in WRC history. This triumph marks Toyota’s 53rd WRC win and 123rd podium since its return in 2017. With three consecutive victories in the 2025 season, Toyota strengthens its grip on the manufacturers’ championship lead.
Hyundai Motorsport duo Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville, both battling mechanical issues, secured second and third place, respectively, delivering Hyundai’s best-ever result at the demanding event.
The rally took another dramatic turn on the final stage when Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Kalle Rovanperä rolled his car, allowing Sami Pajari to finish fourth. Despite sustaining damage, the Japanese driver managed to cross the line in fifth.
M-Sport Ford’s best result came courtesy of Grégoire Munster, who finished sixth. Munster, who had climbed to third on Thursday, struggled with multiple punctures, suspension failures, and gearbox troubles, ultimately finishing 11 minutes 35.3 seconds behind the winner.
The next round of the 2025 FIA WRC is Rally Islas Canarias, set to take place from 24–27 April. Held on the twisting asphalt roads of Gran Canaria’s mountainous terrain, the event marks the championship’s return to Spain for the first time since 2022.
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