The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally shakedown took place on Wednesday 19th March in Naivasha, setting the stage for one of the toughest legs in the global motorsport series.
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Kalle Rovanperä set the fastest time on the 5.4km Sleeping Warrior stage, edging out Hyundai WRT’s Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak. The event will officially kick off in Nairobi on Thursday, with President William Ruto flagging off the competition before the action moves to Naivasha’s rugged terrain.
Drivers React to the Challenging Safari Rally Conditions
Competitors acknowledged the extreme nature of the Kenyan rally, known for its unforgiving roads, unpredictable weather, and deep fesh fesh (fine dust).
Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT):
“Every year, it’s a big challenge to maintain the ‘King of Safari’ status. We’ve been strong here before, and that’s our goal again. The key is to keep a steady pace, stay out of trouble, and manage the car and tires wisely.”
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai Motorsport WRT):
“We’ve struggled in Kenya in past years, but this time, we’re aiming for a strong performance. Breaking Toyota’s winning streak won’t be easy, but we’ll push hard.”
Ott Tänak (Hyundai Motorsport WRT):
“No car troubles so far. It’s going to be a very demanding rally, but we’ll keep it clean and see what happens.”
Elfyn Evans (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT):
“The conditions are tough, with a lot of loose rocks and fesh fesh. This rally requires an element of caution to make it to the finish.”
Carl Tundo (Ford Fiesta WRC2):
“Shakedown was rough, so we took it easy. Our target is to get through Friday clean and then focus on the rest of the rally. Some rain would be welcome on Saturday.”
All Set for a Thrilling Safari Rally Showdown
With the shakedown completed, drivers are gearing up for an intense battle on Kenya’s legendary Safari Rally terrain. The event is expected to push both drivers and their machines to the limit, making endurance and strategy crucial for success.
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