Elfyn Evans Clinches Historic Victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya

Elfyn Evans won the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, achieving back-to-back WRC victories. He increased his championship lead to 36 points over Thierry Neuville, who finished third. Despite setbacks, both Neuville and Tänak earned bonus points, while Kalle Rovanperä faced retirement. Toyota’s lead in the manufacturers’ standings has narrowed to 26 points against Hyundai, highlighting a growing competition in the championship race.

Elfyn Evans achieved a significant milestone by winning the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, marking his second consecutive victory in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The Welsh driver, competing for Toyota, effectively navigated the challenging course, finishing 1 minute and 9.9 seconds ahead of Estonia’s Ott Tänak, while Belgian champion Thierry Neuville secured third place, leading Hyundai to its first dual podium finish in Africa.

Despite both Neuville and Tänak earning additional bonus points on Super Sunday and Power Stage, Evans expanded his championship lead to 36 points over Neuville and 39 over Tänak. Finland’s Kalle Rovanperä, a two-time world champion, is now 57 points behind following his retirement due to an electrical failure on Sunday.

In the manufacturers’ standings, Toyota’s edge over Hyundai has diminished to 26 points after Hyundai outperformed them by a total of 22 points in Kenya. Evans faced relatively few difficulties during the rally, recording only a 360-degree spin and an intercom failure which he successfully managed. “A huge well done to the team, they did a great job, and I’m proud to be a very small part of Toyota’s history at this special rally,” stated Evans.

Tänak commenced Friday leading the rally but encountered a major setback when his Hyundai’s driveshaft broke, although he later capitalized on Kalle Rovanperä’s misfortunes—who competed with a damaged suspension—to secure second place. Neuville dealt with multiple challenges, including late service due to repairs, a jump-start penalty, and a delay caused by filtering dust. These issues put him at a disadvantage, but he demonstrated resilience by finishing third, gaining critical points for his championship pursuit.

Takamoto Katsuta of Japan appeared poised for a fourth-place finish, which would have maintained his streak of top-four finishes at all Safari Rallies entered. However, he flipped his Toyota while competing for Power Stage points, incurring significant damage that forced him to retire. After the incident, Katsuta expressed his regret, stating, “Just sorry for the team, nothing else.”

Grégoire Munster from M-Sport Ford finished fifth amidst a challenging campaign, managing a gearbox change under pressure on Sunday morning. With the intensity of the 2025 WRC season continuing to escalate, Evans’ triumph in Kenya cements his role as the championship leader as Toyota and Hyundai engage in a robust contest in the manufacturers’ standings. As the season progresses, the upcoming rally is set to deliver more exciting and competitive moments.

In conclusion, Elfyn Evans’ victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya not only marks a pivotal point in his career with back-to-back wins but also strengthens his position in the WRC championship standings. Despite facing fierce competition from drivers like Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville, who also performed admirably, Evans maintained his lead with extraordinary skill. As the WRC season escalates, the rivalry between leading manufacturers Toyota and Hyundai intensifies, promising thrilling races ahead.

Original Source: www.tv47.digital