Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin have emerged victorious in the 2025 edition of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, securing a crucial win for Toyota Gazoo Racing.
The 36-year-old British driver delivered a commanding performance, finishing more than a minute ahead of his closest competitor, Hyundai’s Ott Tänak.
Evans’ triumph marks a significant milestone for Toyota, extending their lead in the championship standings to 36 points after three rounds.
Speaking after his hard-fought victory, Evans expressed his excitement and gratitude.
“What an amazing weekend… incredible support throughout, and amazing to see the finish line here. Thank you, everyone. It means a lot as a Toyota driver to continue that run of wins here at Safari. It is very important for the team; they work really hard for this, and they deserve it,” said Evans.
The Welsh driver secured back-to-back WRC victories for the first time in his career, further cementing his position as a top contender this season.
Tanak’s Misfortune, Neuville Settles for Third
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, who had been leading earlier in the rally, suffered a setback on Friday after breaking a driveshaft, costing him valuable time. The Estonian ultimately settled for second place, behind Evans.
Defending Safari Rally champion Thierry Neuville, also driving for Hyundai, finished in third place.
Finnish driver Sami Pajari secured a fourth-place finish, while Japanese racer Takamoto Katsuta came in fifth, both piloting Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 cars.
Luxembourg’s Grégoire Munster and Ireland’s Josh McErlean rounded out the top seven, both representing the Ford team.
With this victory, Evans has put himself in a strong position in the WRC title race, as the season heads into its next round.
