Elfyn Evans Secures Consecutive Victory at 2025 Safari Rally Kenya
Elfyn Evans secured a historic victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, marking his first back-to-back wins in WRC. He extended his championship lead to 36 points despite challenges faced by competitors. Toyota’s dominance was slightly diminished by Hyundai’s performance, while other drivers like Neuville and Katsuta experienced significant setbacks throughout the event.
Elfyn Evans achieved a significant milestone by winning the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, marking his first consecutive victories in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The talented Welsh driver, representing Toyota, skillfully navigated the treacherous terrain to finish ahead of Estonia’s Ott Tänak by a margin of 1m09.9s. Belgium’s defending champion, Thierry Neuville, secured third place, delivering Hyundai’s inaugural double podium finish in Africa.
Evans expanded his championship lead, now holding a 36-point advantage over Neuville, despite the latter and Tänak earning additional bonus points on Super Sunday and Power Stage. Tänak trails Neuville by three points, while Finland’s Kalle Rovanperä, a two-time world champion, sits 57 points behind after a retirement due to electrical issues on Sunday.
In the manufacturers’ standings, Toyota’s lead was reduced to 26 points over Hyundai, following Hyundai’s successful performance in Kenya where they outscored Toyota by 22 points.
Evans’ journey to victory was notably smooth compared to typical Safari Rally experiences, with only a 360-degree spin and an intercom failure on Friday posing challenges. He expressed gratitude towards Kenya, stating, “I want to say thank you to everyone in Kenya for a very warm welcome and an amazing rally,” and praised his team for their efforts in making Toyota’s participation at this unique event memorable.
Ott Tänak, the 2019 WRC champion, initially led the rally on Friday but faced difficulties when his Hyundai’s driveshaft broke. He managed to rebound from this setback as Kalle Rovanperä encountered issues, allowing Tänak to secure the second position.
Thierry Neuville’s weekend was fraught with obstacles. He began the rally six minutes late due to essential repairs, incurred penalties for a jump start and a delay, and battled illness through Friday night. Nonetheless, he finished third, accruing important points for his championship aspirations.
In a turn of misfortune, Takamoto Katsuta, who was poised to finish fourth, encountered a dramatic incident while attempting to gain Power Stage bonus points. He rolled his Toyota, resulting in a significant time loss and ultimately forced him to retire from the event. Katsuta lamented the incident, stating, “I don’t know what happened. Just sorry for the team, nothing else.”
Luxembourg’s Grégoire Munster from M-Sport Ford finished fifth after experiencing a sudden performance drop due to gearbox issues. With the ongoing 2025 WRC season, Evans’ win in Kenya reinforces his championship lead while Toyota and Hyundai engage in a fierce contest in the manufacturers’ rankings. The next rally is anticipated to deliver even more thrilling action as the competition progresses.
Elfyn Evans’ victory at the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya not only marks his second consecutive win but also solidifies his position as the championship leader. Despite the challenges faced by other competitors such as Neuville and Tänak, Evans maintained his composure, enhancing his lead in the overall standings. With Toyota’s position in the manufacturers’ rankings tightening against Hyundai, the upcoming rallies promise to deliver increasingly competitive and high-stakes encounters.
Original Source: www.tv47.digital
