After four days of intense competition through the rugged terrains of Naivasha, Welsh rally driver Elfyn Evans secured a remarkable victory in the 2025 WRC Safari Rally, showcasing his skill and resilience behind the wheel of his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1.
Battling through the unpredictable Kenyan terrain—marked by thick dust, deep mud, and treacherous water crossings—Evans clocked an impressive time of 4:20:03.8, clinching the title with a 1:09.9-second lead over his closest competitor.
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, the 2019 world champion from Estonia, pushed hard but settled for second place with a time of 4:21:13.7. Meanwhile, his Hyundai teammate and reigning world champion, Thierry Neuville of Belgium, completed the podium in third place, finishing at 4:23:35.8.
However, the race was not kind to defending champion Kalle Rovanperä of Finland, who had high hopes of securing a third Safari Rally victory. His ambition was cut short when his Toyota Yaris Rally1 suffered mechanical issues in Stage 18 (Oserengoni 1), forcing him to retire from the race. Rovanperä had aimed to lead a Toyota podium sweep in honor of Juha Kankkunen, the legendary Finnish driver who won Toyota’s first-ever Safari Rally title back in 1985.
The 2025 Safari Rally lived up to its reputation as one of the most demanding WRC events, with unpredictable weather and grueling road conditions testing the endurance of both drivers and machines. Evans’ victory further cements Toyota’s dominance in the championship, adding another triumph to their rich rallying legacy.
With this win, Evans strengthens his position in the 2025 WRC season standings, setting the stage for an electrifying championship battle in the coming rounds.
