Elfyn Evans claims victory at the 2025 WRC Safari Rally
Two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanpera was forced to retire on Sunday morning due to an electrical issue with his Toyota, putting a dent in his championship hopes. He now sits 57 points behind Evans.
Rally driver Elfyn Evans extended his lead at the top of the World Rally Championship's (WRC) standings with a dominant victory at the gruelling Safari Rally Kenya on Sunday. The Toyota driver, who had previously won the last round in Sweden, now holds a commanding 36-point lead over defending champion Thierry Neuville after three of the 14 scheduled rounds.
Evans expressed his joy at securing the hard-fought win, emphasising the effort his team put in.
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"What an amazing weekend... incredible support throughout and amazing to see the finish line here. Thank you, everyone," he said. "It means a lot as a Toyota driver to continue that run of wins here at Safari. It is very important for the team; they work really hard for this, and they deserve it."
The Safari Rally, known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable conditions, proved to be a test of endurance for many competitors. Two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanpera was forced to retire on Sunday morning due to an electrical issue with his Toyota, putting a dent in his championship hopes. He now sits 57 points behind Evans.
Evans, who has finished as runner-up in the WRC championship on four occasions, showcased his skill and composure by driving a controlled race and avoiding the treacherous hazards of the Safari Rally. He secured victory with a 1 minute 9-second lead over Hyundai's Ott Tänak, while Tänak's teammate Neuville finished third, trailing by 3 minutes and 32 seconds.
"A huge well done to the team," Evans added. "They did a great job, and I'm proud to be a very small part of Toyota's history at this special rally."
Further down the standings, Finland's Sami Pajari (Toyota) secured fourth place, while his Japanese teammate Takamoto Katsuta had a dramatic end to the rally. Katsuta, who had been on course for a fourth-place finish, rolled his Toyota on the final stage while pushing for crucial bonus points. Thanks to the efforts of nearby spectators who helped get his car back on its wheels, he managed to finish and collect 10 valuable points.
Reflecting on the incident, Katsuta said, "I don't know what happened. Just sorry for the team, nothing else."
With the Safari Rally now concluded, the WRC season moves on to the next challenge. The next round of the championship will take place at the end of April with the Rally of the Canary Islands, where Evans will look to extend his impressive lead at the top of the standings.
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