WRC 2025: Toyota won but Hyundai is getting it right in the African outing

Ott Tanak, navigated by Martin Jarveoja in action during the Safari Rally Kenya at Hell's Gate. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Here, fans, party goers, spectators, motorsports enthusiasts, families, and government officials, jostled to have a glimpse of the third leg of the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC), the Safari Rally. The championship lived up to it's billing as fans got entertained as others indulged in merry making in the endless parties that were scattered across the vast Naivasha landscape. Indeed, it was a rally worth watching, especially at the final Wolf Power Stage in Hell's Gate, where President Ruto crowned the overall winner Elfyn Evans of Toyota. Even though Evans' victory on Sunday sealed a fifth gong for the Japanese constructors on Kenyan soil, it is quite evident that Hyundai is now getting it right in the WRC African tour. The South Korea's manufacturers had two of their drivers; 2019 world champion Ott Tanak and reigning world champion Thierry Neuville squeeze into second and third to dominate the podium. Over the years, Hyundai and British outfit M-Sport Ford have struggled on the rough terrains of Naivasha, with 2022 and 2023 being their worst seasons when young Finn star Kalle Rovanpera and eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier led Toyota to a clean sweep of the podium respectively. This year, Ogier was rested by Toyota in the outing, while Rovanpera, who had hoped to seal a third individual victory in the Safari, including defending the title, was a pale shadow of himself. Since his debut in the Safari, Rovanpera has been so peerless on the energy-sapping Naivasha terrains, but this time, he was the victim of the grueling race as he was forced to retire in the championship on the last day at stage 18 (the Oserengoni 1). The gods of rally were with his teammate Evans who proved invincible after taking control of the leaderboard on Friday as he held on his grip to the finish line for the ultimate glory on Sunday. Despite Rovanpera's woes, Toyota is already grooming another young Finn, Sami Pajari who proved his mettle in his debut on Kenyan soil by finishing fourth. Pajari is arguably one of the speedsters to watch in championship in the coming years. Meanwhile, Carl Tundo was the best placed Kenyan driver at 15th. The five-time Safari Rally winner (while not on WRC status), was also glad to retain his WRC Masters Cup gong. This was the 24th Safari for Tundo, making him one of the longest serving drivers in the global series. Tundo also topped the WRC African Rally Championship (ARC) category where he was followed by promising Kenyan youngster Jeremiah Wahome as Yasin Nasser of Uganda, who competed on a Tanzanian license, came third. Another Kenyan daredevil, Minesh Rathod emerged victorious in the ARC2 category. Paraplegic driver Nikhil Sachania dominated the WRC3 category, which was being defended by Hamza Anwar, also of Kenya. Maxine Wahome was the first driver to bring the category home in 2022. Sachania also topped the ARC3 battle, granting him two accolades from this year's WRC championship. Gus Greensmith of Skoda Fabia is the new winner of the WRC2 category where he was followed by Jan Solans (Toyota) and his teammate Fabrizio Zaldivar in second and third spots respectively. Tundo, who was eyeing the title, finished seventh followed by Jeremiah in eighth. Solans dominated the WRC2 Challenger with Tundo finishing fifth and Jeremiah sixth. The fourth leg of the 2025 WRC series now heads to Rally Islas Canarias in Spain on April 24-27.

WRC 2025: Toyota won but Hyundai is getting it right in the African outing

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