Story & Photo by WRC team
NAIVASHA, Kenya, March 21 – Estonian star Ott Tanak in Hyundai Motorsport has extended his lead at the summit of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Kenya Safari Rally following Friday’s opening session in Naivasha.
Tanak, the 2019 world champion, brought his i20 home for the first service of the day 24.4 seconds ahead of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Irishman Elfyn Evans following the first loop of Day Two that saw the drivers tackle four stages.
The Estonian started off day two on a high note claiming Stage 3 at Camp Moran which was the 32.20km longest stage of the rally where he beat teammate and reigning world champion Thierry Neuville by 2.1 seconds.
Tanak was at it again on the 19.11km Loldia 1 stage where he topped Neuville by 1.5 seconds to extend his advantage to 19.3 seconds.
“We had clean stages, especially the second one. A 24 second lead here at the Safari means nothing because the stages are full of surprises and one moment you could be in the lead then the next you are behind,” the Estonian told reporters as he came in for service.
Double world champion and Toyota driver, Kalle Rovanpera is third overall 44.1 seconds adrift of the leader despite spinning his Yaris Rally 1 car.
“Rough and tough morning loop safely through! We half spun on stage 4 and lost some time reversing out of it, but otherwise a problem free start for us.
“First two stages of the loop are really narrow and tricky, and there we are not at our best at the moment – on the more wide and flowy parts we are doing pretty okay.
“We are expecting the afternoon loop to be really rough so let’s keep at it and try to stay out of trouble!” Rovanpera who is seeking a third WRC Safari Rally title posted after the opening loop.
Neuville, who started the day eighth moving up the charts to fifth overall, over a minute behind his Hyundai teammate and leader.
“We started the morning with a crazy service – our mechanics did an incredible job getting the car back in shape.
“We got a one-minute penalty from late check-in after this little longer service, but we pushed hard to make up ground, and despite two punctures, we climbed from 8th to 4th overall. Now we need to keep the momentum this afternoon – and keep it on the road!” Neuville stated.
Day 2 action will conclude with four more stages, Sleeping Warrior (26.88km), Elementaita (17.31km), Soysambu (29.32km) and Oserengoni (18.33km).
2025 FIA SAFARI RALLY LEADERBOARD AFTER CS6
1. #8 Ott Tanak – Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) 1:04:45.5
2. #33 Elfyn Evans – Scott Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 1:05:09.9
3. #69 Kalle Rovanperä – Halttunen J. (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 1:05:32.6
4. #1 Thierry Neuville – Wydaeghe M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) 1:06:26.6
5. #55 logoMcErlean Josh – Treacy Eoin (Ford Puma Rally1) 1:06:35.4
6. #20 Oliver Solberg – Edmondson E. (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 1:07:41.5
7. #18 Takamoto Katsuta – Johnston A. (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 1:07:57.7
8. #24 Kajetanowicz K. – Szczepaniak M. (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 1:08:21.8
