Elfyn Evans Achieves Historic Victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya

Elfyn Evans claimed victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, marking his first back-to-back wins in the WRC. He increased his championship lead to 36 points over Thierry Neuville. Despite challenges faced by competitors like Neuville and Takamoto Katsuta, Evans maintained his dominance. The battle between manufacturers Toyota and Hyundai continues with each rally presenting new tensions.

Elfyn Evans prominently marked his first back-to-back wins in the FIA World Rally Championship by securing a decisive victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya. The Welsh driver, representing Toyota, expertly navigated the demanding terrain to surpass Estonia’s Ott Tänak by 1 minute and 9.9 seconds, while Belgian world champion Thierry Neuville finished in third place, achieving Hyundai’s inaugural double podium in Africa.

Following this victory, Evans has notably increased his championship lead to 36 points over Neuville, despite both Neuville and Tänak earning more bonus points during Super Sunday and the Power Stage. Tänak trails Neuville by three points, while two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä remains 57 points behind after retiring due to an electrical failure on Sunday in his Toyota. In the manufacturers’ standings, Toyota’s lead over Hyundai has been narrowed to 26 points after Hyundai managed to outscore them by 22 points in Kenya.

Evans faced relatively few hurdles on his way to winning, experiencing a 360-degree spin and an intercom failure on Friday. However, he adeptly managed these challenges to maintain his lead throughout the rally. “I want to say thank you to everyone in Kenya for a very warm welcome and an amazing rally,” Evans stated. He also acknowledged his team’s efforts, expressing pride in being a part of Toyota’s history at this significant event.

The 2019 WRC champion Tänak encountered difficulties after initially leading on Friday when his Hyundai’s driveshaft broke. He managed to reclaim his position as Rovanperä faced problems, including driving two stages on Saturday with a broken suspension, allowing Tänak to secure the second place finish.

Neuville’s rally was riddled with challenges, as he left Friday morning service six minutes late due to necessary repairs, which resulted in a one-minute time penalty. Additional penalties included a jump-start and a delay from clearing his air filter, which cumulatively added over one minute to his time. Despite experiencing illness on Friday night, Neuville made a robust recovery to finish in third place, earning crucial points for his championship pursuit.

Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta was positioned to finish fourth, aiming for a consistent record. Unfortunately, while striving for Power Stage bonus points, he rolled his Toyota, resulting in a lost three minutes as he fell behind Finland’s Sami Pajari. Although spectators assisted in righting his vehicle, the damage proved too significant, compelling him to retire. “I don’t know what happened. Just sorry for the team, nothing else,” remarked the heartbroken Katsuta.

M-Sport Ford’s Grégoire Munster from Luxembourg concluded the rally in fifth position, though he faced complications when his Puma Rally1 experienced a sudden speed loss that required a gearbox replacement. Evans’ recent triumph at the Safari Rally strengthens his status as the championship leader, as the competition between Toyota and Hyundai intensifies in the manufacturers’ standings. The upcoming rally promises to deliver more thrilling action.

In summary, Elfyn Evans achieved a remarkable victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, solidifying his lead in the FIA World Rally Championship standings. Despite various challenges faced by his competitors, including Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville, Evans’s performance was commendable. The incident involving Takamoto Katsuta highlighted the unpredictability of the rally, while M-Sport’s Grégoire Munster added an element of drama. As the season unfolds, the rivalry between Toyota and Hyundai remains fierce, ensuring future rallies will be equally dynamic.

Original Source: www.tv47.digital