Hyundai’s Ott Tanak took the overnight lead of the 2025 WRC Safari Rally after two stages of the competition held at Kasarani Nairobi and Mzabibu,Naivasha.
Tannak,the 2019 World Champion finished the day 2.4 seconds ahead of Toyota’s Takamoto Kasuta who posted 9 minutes 54.7 seconds after the first two stages at Kasarani Super Special Stage and the Mzabibu.
“The Day was all good. Very happy that we are leading after the first day. Short stages for the day, but the second (Mzabibu) was quite demanding with some wet grass in places. Tomorrow will be a completely different ball game as we endure the real safari,” Tanak said.
M-Sport Ford’s Grégoire Munster and his partner Louis Louka retuned their Ford Puma Rally1 in third, 2.6 seconds behind the leader and 0.2 clear off Takamoto.
Current WRC leader Elfyn Evans was the earlier pacesetter on the super special stage in Kasarani where he pipped champion Thierry Neuville by 1.5seconds.
Two time Safari rally winner and defending champion Kalle Rovanpera was ranked fourth while Evans finished the day in fifth place.
Last year’s third place finisher Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux retired due to electrical issues before the second speed test at Mzabibu.
DAY ONE RESULTS
- #8 Ott Tänak – Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) 9:52.3 79.2
- #18 Takamoto Katsuta – Johnston A. (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 9:54.7 +2.4 +2.4
- #13 Grégoire Munster – Louis Louka (Ford Puma Rally1) 9:54.9 +2.6
- #69 Kalle Rovanperä – Halttunen J. (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 9:55.3
5 flag #33 Elfyn lEvans – Scott Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 9:56.8
- #55 Josh McErlean – Eoin Treacy (Ford Puma Rally1) 10:01.1
- #5 Sami Pajari – Marko Salminen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 10:02.1
- #1 Thierry Neuville – Wydaeghe M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) 10:12.0
- #20 Oliver Solberg – Edmondson E. (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 10:16.3
- #22 Gus Greensmith – Andersson J. (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) 10:25.4
- #21 F. Zaldivar – Der Ohannesian M. (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) 10:27.3
- #9 J. Serderidis – Miclotte F. (Ford Puma Rally1) 10:40.0
