The opening day of the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya unfolded with intense competition and unforeseen challenges, setting the stage for a thrilling event.
Estonian driver Ott Tänak, behind the wheel of his Hyundai i20 Rally1, emerged as the early leader. After two stages, Tänak held a 2.4-second advantage over Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta in his Toyota GR Yaris, with Luxembourg’s Grégoire Munster trailing by just 0.2 seconds in third place. The trio’s strong performances mean all three major manufacturers — Hyundai, Toyota, and Ford M-Sport — are represented at the top of the leaderboard.
The rally commenced with the Super Special Kasarani (4.75 km), where Elfyn Evans of Toyota set the fastest time. However, Tänak showcased his prowess in the subsequent 8.27 km Mzabibu stage, propelling him to the top of the leaderboard. Katsuta faced a minor setback, briefly veering into a vineyard but managed to recover swiftly, finishing just 1.1 seconds behind Tänak in that stage.
The day wasn’t without its challenges. Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai became the first major casualty, encountering electronic issues en route to the second stage, leading to his withdrawal for the day. Despite efforts to restart the car, including using an external battery, the vehicle remained unresponsive. Fourmaux is expected to rejoin the rally on Friday, albeit with a 10-minute penalty.
Additionally, reigning world champion Thierry Neuville experienced difficulties in the latter part of the Mzabibu stage, resulting in a time deficit of 19.7 seconds from the leader. The team plans to investigate the issue during the limited 15-minute service window on Friday morning.
In the WRC2 category, Kajetan Kajetanowicz holds a narrow 1.3-second lead over Oliver Solberg with both Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 cars securing spots in the overall top 10.
Kenyan drivers showcased commendable performances. Karan Patel led the local contingent, followed closely by Jeremiah Wahome, Hamza Anwar, and Carl Tundo, all separated by less than seven seconds. Patel’s consistent pace positions him as a strong contender in the subsequent stages.
The rally is set to intensify on Friday, beginning with the new Camp Moran stage — a demanding 31.4 km route featuring a mix of narrow technical tracks, fast dips, jumps, and rocky outcrops. Competitors anticipate a day where strategy and vehicle preservation will be crucial.