Nairobi, Kenya- Elfyn Evans is on the brink of his first-ever WRC Safari Rally win, navigating the treacherous Kenyan terrain with precision as rivals falter around him.
The Welshman holds a commanding lead, playing it safe while the competition battles setbacks and unpredictable conditions.
But not everyone made it to the final stretch. Two-time Safari Rally winner Kalle Rovanperä, Evans’ Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate, suffered a brutal blow in Competitive Stage 17—forced to retire due to an auxiliary belt failure.
The twist leaves Evans as Toyota’s last hope for a podium-topping finish, while Hyundai’s Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville remain in hot pursuit, waiting for any slip-up.
⏱️ SS20 ➡️ 11:28.2One stage to go.#EE33 #SafariRallyKenya #ToyotaGAZOORacing
Survival of the Fastest
The Safari Rally has always been more than just a race—it’s an endurance test where the unpredictable reigns supreme. From bone-dry dust bowls to rain-soaked mud traps, this year’s edition has been a masterclass in chaos.
Evans, leading the 2025 WRC standings, started Saturday with a slim 7.7-second advantage. But as others struggled, he capitalized—extending his lead despite rear tyre damage and worsening track conditions.
Meanwhile, Rovanperä’s bid for a comeback unraveled rapidly. A front-right tyre deflation, a puncture at Soysambu, and then the ultimate heartbreak—rear suspension damage that saw him tumble down the leaderboard before bowing out entirely on Sunday.
The drama didn’t stop there. Tänak, pushing to close the gap, battled a deflated tyre and a fogged-up windscreen, while Neuville faced engine misfires and visibility issues.
Despite their setbacks, both Hyundai drivers remain in contention, hoping for a last-minute shake-up as the rally nears its final showdown.
Teammates first, rivals second 🤝Elfyn Evans gave Kalle Rovanperä a helping hand as he attempted to repair his broken suspension 🔧
Leaderboard Shakeups and a Kenyan Motorsport Moment
As Evans inches closer to his first Safari Rally crown, the leaderboard is shifting with every stage.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta is holding onto fourth place, ahead of teammate Sami Pajari, while Gus Greensmith is on the verge of a WRC2 victory, steering clear of trouble in the early Sunday stages.
Among local contenders, Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo, sitting in 14th place, remains Kenya’s highest-ranked driver, carrying the hopes of home fans in the final moments of this grueling event.
The Final Stretch—All Eyes on Hell’s Gate
With just two stages remaining, including the Wolf Power Stage at Hell’s Gate, the 2025 WRC Safari Rally is heading toward a dramatic finish.
If Evans can hold steady, he won’t just claim his first-ever Safari victory—he’ll take a giant step toward the 2025 WRC title, reinforcing his dominance this season.
But as every Safari Rally has proven, it’s not over until the final dust settles.
