Welsh rally driver Elfyn Evans is on the verge of making history with his first-ever WRC Safari Rally victory after successfully navigating the opening three stages of the final day on Sunday. The Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT driver has maintained a cautious yet commanding lead in the grueling Kenyan rally, keeping his title hopes alive in the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) season.
Heartbreak for Rovanperä as Evans Stays on Top
While Evans has managed to steer clear of trouble, his Toyota teammate, Finnish driver Kalle Rovanperä, suffered a devastating blow when he was forced to retire from the rally in Competitive Stage (CS) 17—Oserengoni—due to an auxiliary belt failure. The two-time Safari Rally winner and double world champion was one of the favorites for the title but saw his hopes dashed in the rough African terrain.
Evans’ Cautious Strategy Paying Off
Evans, who currently leads the 2025 WRC standings, played a calculated game on the final day. He finished the opening three stages in 10th, 9th, and 9th place, ensuring he avoided unnecessary risks. Despite not pushing for stage wins, the 35-year-old driver from Wales has a solid 1 minute 38.3 seconds lead over his closest rival, Estonian Ott Tänak, with just two stages remaining.
The final showdown includes the high-stakes Wolf Power Stage at Hell’s Gate in Naivasha, which will mark the conclusion of the third round of the 2025 WRC season.
Chasing Pack Ready to Pounce
Behind Evans, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT drivers are on full attack mode, hoping for any slip-up from the leader. Estonian Ott Tänak, the 2019 world champion, is in second place, having won the first stage of the day, Mzabibu 2. His Belgian teammate, reigning world champion Thierry Neuville, follows in third place, 2 minutes 31.0 seconds behind Evans.
Meanwhile, Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta, also in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, secured a crucial stage win in Oserengoni, helping him maintain fourth place in the overall standings. Finnish driver Sami Pajari, another Toyota ace, rounds off the top five.
Other Key Performances
Ford M-Sport Puma’s French driver Adrien Fourmaux had an impressive run in the morning, securing a stage win at Hell’s Gate 1. His steady performance has kept him in contention for valuable WRC points.
In the WRC2 category, British driver Gus Greensmith is closing in on victory, having navigated through the challenging opening sequence unscathed. Kenyan rally legend Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo remains the highest-placed local driver, currently sitting in 14th position.
WRC Safari Rally Leaderboard After SS19
- Elfyn Evans (Wales) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – 4:02:42.0
- Ott Tänak (Estonia) – Hyundai i20 N Rally1 – 4:04:20.3 (+1:38.3)
- Thierry Neuville (Belgium) – Hyundai i20 N Rally1 – 4:06:51.3 (+2:31.0)
- Takamoto Katsuta (Japan) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – 4:07:28.7 (+4:46.7)
- Sami Pajari (Finland) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – 4:08:12.5 (+5:30.5)
Final Push for Victory
With just two stages remaining, Evans is in prime position to claim his first-ever WRC Safari Rally win. However, Tänak and Neuville are pushing hard, ready to capitalize on any last-minute setbacks. As the 2025 WRC Safari Rally reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Hell’s Gate for the final showdown in one of the toughest rallies in the world.
