Safari Rally Kenya 2025: Day Two Brings Thrills and Shifts in the Standings
The second day of the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), delivered a rollercoaster of action as drivers tackled some of the most demanding stages of the event. With ten stages scheduled for Friday, the leaderboard saw dramatic shifts, showcasing the unpredictable nature of this iconic rally. As of 3:16 PM East Africa Time (EAT), the rally is in full swing, with Thierry Neuville emerging as a standout performer of the day.
Morning Stages Set the Tone
The day began with Ott Tänak holding a narrow lead after Thursday’s opening stages, followed closely by Takamoto Katsuta and a surprising third-place contender, M-Sport Ford’s Grégoire Munster. The morning’s action kicked off with SS3 (Camp Moran, 25.57 km), where Tänak continued his strong form, posting a time of 25:57.3. Neuville trailed by just 2.1 seconds, with Elfyn Evans rounding out the top three, 8.1 seconds back. The rugged terrain and technical sections of Camp Moran tested the drivers’ precision and car reliability early on.
SS4 (Loldia, 19.11 km) saw Tänak maintain his momentum, clocking 14:29.8, with Neuville (+1.5s) and Evans (+2.3s) keeping the pressure on. However, the tide began to turn in SS5 (Jotaoardhi, 13.18 km), where defending rally winner Kalle Rovanperä flexed his muscle, taking the stage win with a time of 7:03.4. Neuville (+1.1s) and Tänak (+1.3s) followed, signaling a tightening battle at the top.
Neuville’s Masterclass in SS7
The afternoon brought one of the day’s defining moments in SS7 (Kedong, 15.10 km). Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville unleashed a blistering performance, finishing in 25:56.9—22.4 seconds quicker than Tänak and 30.3 seconds ahead of Rovanperä. This stunning stage win not only showcased Neuville’s skill but also propelled him up the leaderboard, shaking up the overall standings. Posts on X from the official WRC account hailed the effort as “incredible,” with Neuville’s pace leaving his rivals scrambling to respond.
Current Standings and Outlook
While the full leaderboard is still evolving as the day progresses, Neuville’s dominance in SS7 has likely vaulted him into contention for the lead. Tänak, who started the day at the top, remains a formidable force, leveraging his experience on Kenya’s unforgiving gravel roads. Rovanperä, the 2024 Safari Rally champion, is also in the mix, with his SS5 victory proving he’s ready to defend his title. Katsuta, representing Toyota Gazoo Racing, and Munster, the young Luxembourgish driver making waves, are holding strong but face an uphill battle to keep pace with the frontrunners.
The Safari Rally’s reputation as one of the toughest events in the WRC is living up to its billing. With its mix of rocky outcrops, sandy fesh fesh, and unpredictable weather, the rally continues to test both driver skill and machine durability. Friday’s remaining stages—including repeats of earlier tests—promise more twists, as tire wear, mechanical issues, and strategic decisions come into play.
What’s Next?
As the rally heads into Saturday, the longest and most grueling day of the event, the battle for supremacy is wide open. Neuville’s surge has injected fresh drama into the proceedings, while Tänak and Rovanperä will look to counterattack. For local fans and the global audience tuning in, the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya is shaping up to be a classic, with the iconic landscapes of Naivasha providing a stunning backdrop to the high-stakes competition.
Stay tuned for updates as the rally unfolds, with Sunday’s finale—and the coveted Wolf Power Stage—still to come.
