×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Join Thousands of Readers
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

WRC Safari Rally 2026: Neuville tops shakedown as drivers warn of brutal race

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

Belgian driver Thierry Neuville and his codriver Martijn Wydaeghe splash through a muddy section at the Nawisa shakedown stage during the WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2026 in Naivasha. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard].

Thierry Neuville set the pace on Safari Rally Kenya's new shakedown stage as heavy pre-event rain raised fears of an especially punishing third round of the 2026 World Rally Championship.

Neuville finished the session quickest, 1.8 seconds clear of Toyota's Oliver Solberg, with Sami Pajari just 0.4s further back and championship leader Elfyn Evans slotting into fourth.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Fact-first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
Golf
Muigua crowned new Nyanza Hippo Pot champion
Football
Poor annoying football: Tusker coach Mette slams Singida Black Stars' style of play after 1-0 defeat
Football
Tusker loss leaves sour taste in their mouths
Golf
Nyali's Balala leads Kenya at African contest