Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport Ford have written to the FIA requesting current Rally1 regulations remain in place until the end of the 2026 World Rally Championship season. The move comes after the WRC recommended significant regulatory change for next season. Some of the changes include Rally1 cars running without hybrid, less aero and less power while Rally2 cars get more power and more aero. There are mixed feelings on the urgency to push the changes. Many manufacturers have agreements in place through 2026 with hybrid and power unit suppliers so a change to the technical regulations will increase tense and squeeze budgets as teams attempt to homologate.
The WRC Technical Rules to be Finalized in June
This coming Tuesday marks the next opportunity for the teams to discuss potential changes to the 2025 rules. The rules will be finalized later this year in June. Cyril Abiteboul, Team principal for Hyundai WRT stated in an interview with Autosport.com, “One of the things we are trying to do is to build a plan in advance, which Hyundai was not very good at in the past, so for once we have a new team and technical leadership and was pushing hard to have a very well-structured technical project, and that has been brought down by a regulator’s decision. It is vital that we have very quick rules ratified by the World Motor Sport Council so that we can simply work towards these regulations. For me, the timing of June is simply not possible for us to be able to do a good job for next year.
I’m sure, if the FIA needs a quicker decision, I’m very confident they can find ways. They must appreciate that a ratification of rules in June for a car that needs to be designed, tested and validated for January, it is not a lot of time to design, build, test and validate.”
The concerns seems to be time. With every change in motorsport regulation comes cost and decision making time for the teams. The teams will have to choose which areas to focus research and development on while also leaving enough budget to maintain the cars performance. With the next WRC council meeting scheduled for next week. More information may be available to the teams as we approach the final decision on rule changes.
The fourth and final day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Gus Greensmith held on to take the win.
SS14, Malewa 1
Class leader Gus Greensmith kicked off the final day with a stage win. Greensmith set a time 6.5 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to claim the stage win. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 12 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS15, Oserengoni 1
Oliver Solberg took home the stage win on the fifteenth stage of Safari Rally Kenya. Solberg was 6.7 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith on the stage. Niclas Ciamin finished third fastest on the stage, 16.6 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS16, Hell’s Gate 1
Oliver Solberg capped off the morning loop with his second stage win of the day. Solberg posted a time 0.4 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to take the stage win. Niclas Ciamin once again finished third fastest on the stage, 18.5 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS17, Malewa 2
Oliver Solberg kicked off the afternoon loop with his third stage win of the day. Solberg finished 4.3 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to take his third consecutive stage win. Charles Munster was third fastest on the stage, 14.3 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS18, Oserengoni 2
Oliver Solberg also took the stage win on the penultimate stage of Safari Rally Kenya. As Solberg set a time 18.5 seconds faster than class leader Gus Greensmith. Niclas Ciamin finished third fastest on the eighteenth stage of the weekend. Ciamin finished 6.7 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS19, Hell’s Gate 2
Oliver Solberg also took home the win on the final stage of the weekend. As the Swede and WRC2 championship favorite finished with a time 8.5 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to cap off the event. Last year’s WRC2 Safari Rally Kenya winner Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage. Kajetanwoicz finished 4.8 seconds slower than Greensmith on the stage.
The fourth and final day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä held on to take the win.
SS14, Malewa 1
Thierry Neuville kicked off the final day with a stage win. Neuville set a time 4.7 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take the stage win. Esapekka Lappi finished third fastest on the stage, 5 seconds slower than Tänak. Elfyn Evans was fourth fastest on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Lappi. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 6.8 seconds slower than Evans.
SS15, Oserengoni 1
Elfyn Evans took home the stage win on the fifteenth stage of Safari Rally Kenya. Evans posted a time 3.2 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take the stage win. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 2.3 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.4 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS16, Hell’s Gate 1
Elfyn Evans capped off the morning loop with his second stage win of the day. Evans set a time 2.6 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to claim the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Adrien Fourmaux was fourth fastest on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Katsuta. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
SS17, Malewa 2
Thierry Neuville kicked off the afternoon loop of Safari Rally Kenya’s final day in the same fashion as the morning loop, with a stage win. As Neuville posted a time 1.1 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to win his second stage of the day. Esapekka Lappi finished third fastest on the stage, 3.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Elfyn Evans was fourth fastest on the stage, 3.9 seconds slower than Lappi. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.6 seconds slower than Evans.
SS18, Oserengoni 2
Ott Tänak took the stage win on the penultimate stage of the weekend. Tänak set a time 4.3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to claim the stage win. Esapekka Lappi finished third fastest on the stage, 4.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Adrien Fourmaux posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Lappi. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 5.9 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
SS19, Hell’s Gate 2
Thierry Neuville took home the win on the final stage of Safari Rally Kenya 2024. As Neuville posted a time 0.4 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to win the stage. Esapekka Lappi finished third fastest, 1.5 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Lappi. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
The third day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Gus Greensmith retained his lead after the day.
SS8, Soysambu 1
Oliver Solberg kicked off the second day with a stage win. As Solberg set a time 37.2 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to claim the stage win. Diego Dominquez rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 16.9 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS9, Elmenteita 1
Gus Greensmith took home his first stage win of the day on the ninth stage of Safari Rally Kenya. Greensmith posted a time 3.2 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to take the stage win. Kajetan Kajetanowciz finished third fastest on the stage, 13.3 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS10, Sleeping Warrior 1
Oliver Solberg capped off the morning loop with his second stage win of the day. Solberg set a time 41.5 seconds faster than class leader Gus Greensmith. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 37.7 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS11, Soysambu 2
Oliver Solberg kicked off the afternoon loop in the same fashion as the morning loop with a stage win. As Solberg posted a time 5.5 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to go two-for-two on the Soysambu stage. Kajetan Kajetanwoicz finished third on the stage as he has the last three, this time Kajetanwoicz finished 36.9 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS12, Elmenteita 2
Gus Greensmith once again took the stage win on the second stage off the loop. Greensmith set a time 0.6 seconds faster than a charging Oliver Solberg to claim his second stage win of the day. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage yet again, 19.5 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS13, Sleeping Warrior 2
Oliver Solberg conquered the Sleeping Warrior and took home his second stage win on the stage. With Solberg setting a time 22.1 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third on the stage 41 seconds slower than Greensmith.
The third day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä retained his lead after the day.
SS8, Soysambu 1
Takamoto Katsuta kicked off the penultimate day with a stage win. As Katsuta set a time 0.2 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to take his first stage win of the weekend. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest, 5 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville was fourth fastest on the stage, 2.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.2 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS9, Elmenteita 1
Thierry Neuville took home the stage win on the ninth stage of Safari Rally Kenya. With Neuville posting a time 5.2 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to take his second stage win of the weekend. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Lappi. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.7 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.6 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS10, Sleeping Warrior 1
Kalle Rovanperä ended the morning loop with his seventh stage win of the weekend. As the event leader set a time 24.8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 27.1 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five, finishing 1.9 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS11, Soysambu 2
Takamoto Katsuta kicked off the afternoon loop in the same fashion as the morning loop, with a stage win. As Katsuta posted a time 2.6 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take his second stage win of the day. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 6.3 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Adrien Fourmuax rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.2 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS12, Elmenteita 2
Elfyn Evans topped the penultimate stage of the penultimate day at Safari Rally Kenya. As Evans set a time 1 second faster than Ott Tänak to take his first stage win of the weekend. Adrien Fourmaux finished third fastest on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta was fourth fastest on the stage, 3.2 seconds slower than Fourmuax. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.5 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS13, Sleeping Warrior 2
Ott Tänak capped off the day with his first stage win of the weekend. As the Estonian posted a time 10 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 8.8 seconds slower than Katsuta. Adrien Fourmaux set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 20.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 20.2 seconds slower than Neuville.
The second day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Gus Greensmith retained the WRC2 class lead after the day.
SS2, Loldia 1
Gus Greensmith kicked off the second day with a stage win. Greensmith posted a time 7.7 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to top the stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three times on the stage, finishing 20.1 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS3, Geothermal 1
Gus Greensmith also took the stage win on the third stage of Safari Rally Kenya. The Brit set a time 10.1 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to top his third consecutive stage. Niclas Ciamin finished third fastest on the stage, 10.3 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SS4, Kedong 1
Gus Greensmith ended the morning loop with yet another stage win. As Greensmith posted a time 59.3 seconds faster than Charles Munster to win the stage. Diego Dominquez rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 1.8 seconds slower than Munster.
SS5, Loldia 2
Oliver Solberg kicked off the afternoon loop with a stage win. As the Swede posted a time 2.6 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to take his first stage win of the weekend. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 12.5 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS6, Geothermal 2
Gus Greensmith was back to his winning ways on the sixth stage of Safari Rally Kenya. As the class leader set a time 5 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to win the stage. Niclas Ciamin rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 11.4 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS7, Kedong 2
Oliver Solberg capped off the second day with a stage win. Solberg set a time 13.7 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to win his second stage of the weekend. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third on the stage, 18.2 seconds slower than Greensmith.
What To Expect From Safari Rally Kenya Day Three
The penultimate day of Safari Rally Kenya is expected to be a fun one. As drivers will contest 160.96 km across 6 stages. Gus Greensmith may head into the day three minutes and 23 seconds ahead of Kajetan Kajetanowicz, however, that doesn’t mean anything in Kenya. As the Kenyan wilderness is extraordinarily unforgiving. Tomorrow will feature the most feared stage of the event, Sleeping Warrior. This 36.08 km test will push drivers to the absolute limit. Oliver Solberg sits third overall, 14.5 seconds behind Kajetanowicz and three minutes and 37.5 seconds behind Greensmith.
The second day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä took the event lead after the day.
SS2, Loldia 1
Reigning World Champion Kalle Rovanperä kicked off the second day with a stage win. As the Fin posted a time 0.9 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to top the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the days opening stage, finishing 7.3 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS3, Geothermal 1
Kalle Rovanperä also took the stage win on the third stage of Safari Rally Kenya. With Rovanperä setting a benchmark time 1.4 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi on the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest, 2.9 seconds slower than Lappi. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Tänak. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 5.9 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS4, Kedong 1
Kalle Rovanperä also took the stage win on the fourth stage of the weekend to sweep the second days morning loop. Rovanperä posted a time 11.1 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to win his third stage of the weekend. Esapekka Lappi finished third fastest, 1.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Elfyn Evans was fourth fastest on the stage, 7.2 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 6.6 seconds slower than Evans.
SS5, Loldia 2
Kalle Rovanperä continued his dominance into the afternoon loop. As Rovanperä set a set 0.6 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta who tied for second on the stage. Ott Tänak was fourth fastest on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Evans and Katsuta. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.8 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS6, Geothermal 2
If you guess Kalle Rovanperä took the stage win on the penultimate stage of Safari Rally Kenya day two, you’d be correct. As the 2022 event winner posted a time 4.5 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta to top the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Grégoire Munster posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Munster.
SS7, Kedong 2
Kalle Rovanperä also took home the final stage win of the day to complete a sweep on the day. Rovanperä set a benchmark time 4.4 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win his sixth consecutive stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta was fourth fastest on the stage, 8.7 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Katsuta.
Rovanperä Sweeps
Kalle Rovanperä won every stage on the second day of Safari Rally Kenya. The reigning World Champion was extraordinary all day long. Rovanperä ended the day with a 56.9 second lead over Elfyn Evans.
What To Expect From Safari Rally Kenya Day Three
The penultimate day of Safari Rally Kenya is expected to be a fun one. As drivers will contest 160.96 km across 6 stages. Kalle Rovanperä may head into the day nearly a minute ahead of Elfyn Evans, however that doesn’t mean anything in Kenya. As the Kenyan wilderness is extraordinarily unforgiving. Tomorrow will feature the most feared stage of the event, Sleeping Warrior. This 36.08 km test will push drivers to the absolute limit. Takamoto Katsuta sits third overall, 3.9 seconds behind Evans and a minute and 0.8 seconds behind Rovanperä. Thierry Neuville sits just outside a podium position. As the championship leader sits 6.5 seconds behind Katsuta.
The first day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to a close. Thierry Neuville and Gus Greensmith lead their classes.
Rally1 SS1, Kasanari
Championship leader Thierry Neuville kicked off the weekend with a stage win. As the Belgian posted a time 0.1 seconds faster than championship rival and teammate Ott Tänak. 2022 Safari Rally Kenya winner Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest, 0.7 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta was fourth fastest on the opening stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Takamoto Katsuta.
WRC2 SS1, Kasanari
Gus Greensmith kicked off his season with a stage win. As the 2023 WRC2 championship runner-up posted a time 2.8 seconds faster than championship rival Oliver Solberg. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest, 0.3 seconds slower than Solberg. Niclas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.9 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Diego Dominquez rounded out the top five on the opening stage, 2.6 seconds slower than Ciamin.
What To Expect From Safari Rally Kenya Day Two
As expected no drivers lost massive time on the opening SuperSpecial stage. Only 2.2 seconds separate the top seven in the Rally1 class heading into the first full day of action. In the WRC2 class, there was definitely some time left behind by a few drivers. As 3.1 seconds separated first from third in the class. Day two will see drivers contest 127.58 km across six stages. Thierry Neuville will be on road sweeping duty for the second day. Elfyn Evans will follow behind Neuville. Anything can happen throughout the day’s six stages. As the Kenyan wilderness is extremely unforgiving. Weather will play a huge factor in how the day goes. If it’s dry and dusty lingering dust could hamper some drivers as the stage progresses. If it’s wet and muddy some drivers could get stuck on the stages. Anything can happen and drivers have to prepare for everything.
The Safari Rally Kenya shakedown stage has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä and Gus Greensmith top their classes.
Rally1 Shakedown
Kalle Rovanperä was in top shape on the shakedown stage. As the 2021 Safari Rally Kenya winner posted a time 0.2 seconds faster than championship leader Thierry Neuville. Rally Sweden winner Esapekka Lappi finished third, 0.1 seconds behind Neuville. Ott Tänak was fourth fastest on the shakedown stage, as the Estonian set a time 1.3 seconds slower than Lappi. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.5 seconds slower than Tänak.
WRC2 Shakedown
Gus Greensmith was the fastest in the WRC2 class on the shakedown stage. With the 2023 WRC2 championship runner-up setting a time 1.2 seconds faster than championship rival Oliver Solberg. Kajetan Kajetanowicz who won the WRC2 class at the Safari Rally Kenya finished third fastest, 3 seconds slower than Solberg. WRC2 newcomer Diego Dominguez posted the fourth fastest time on the shakedown stage, 8.6 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Niclas Ciamin rounded out the top five, finishing 6.5 seconds slower than Dominquez.
What To Expect From Safari Rally Kenya Day One
The opening day of the third round isn’t much to talk about. As the day features only one SuperSpecial stage. The stage totals 4.84 km in distance. Fans will also be able to see drivers go head-to-head directly on the stage. As the Safari Rally Kenya SuperSpecial stage allows for two cars to run the track at once. There likely won’t be much time gained or lost in either class tomorrow. However, anything is possible and one spin on the SuperSpecial could be the difference between first and second at the end of the event. The drivers will look to get an early advantage on SSS1. Especially Thierry Neuville who is on road sweeping duty tomorrow.
The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues next weekend with the third round of the season, Safari Rally Kenya.
Championship Rundown
Oliver Solberg and Yohan Rossel are tied for the WRC2 championship lead heading into round three. Both Solberg and Rossel have only contested one point scoring round, with Rossel using his first in Monte-Carlo while Solberg used his in Sweden. Solberg will use a second point-scoring round this weekend and is expected to take the championship lead. Sami Pajari and Pepe López are tied for third in the championship. With both drivers sitting 7 points behind Rossel and Solberg. Fifth in the championship follows the same trend as first and third, as once again there is a tie for the position. With Nikolay Grayzin and Georg Linnamäe sitting 3 points behind López and Pajari. Pajari, López, Gryazin and Linnamäe are not contesting the Safari Rally this weekend.
First Of The Season
Gus Greensmith and Kajetan Kajetanowicz will both be making their season debuts this weekend. Kajetanowicz is the reigning class winner at the Safari Rally. On the other hand, Greensmith hasn’t contested the event in a WRC2 car. As Greensmith only contested the legendary event behind the wheel of a Puma Rally1 back in 2022. Both drivers are expected to battle Oliver Solberg for the event win. This weekend has a chance for Solberg, Greensmith and Kajetnowicz to cash in some quality championship points early. As there isn’t much competition in the WRC2 class this weekend. That won’t make it any easier for the drivers, however. As what the event lacks in driver competition it makes up for in the difficulty of the stages. To secure top points this weekend the drivers will have to fend off the unforgiving Kenyan wilderness.
Welcome To The WRC
Alongside returning drivers making their season debut there will be a fresh face in the mix with a familiar name. As Grégoire Munster’s younger brother Charles will be making his WRC2 debut this weekend. Munster has contested many events in France, Belgium and surrounding areas in the last few years. He has yet to claim an overall win at any event, however he has taken a few class wins at events. Nevertheless, the Safari Rally will be different than anything else Charles has contested before. It will be a tough event for the youngster.
What To Expect
The Safari Rally is known for being unforgiving. As weather conditions and as a result road conditions are ever-changing. Drivers will contest 19 stages over the four-day event. The event will kick off with one SuperSpecial stage on Thursday, which totals to 4.84 km. The second day is where the action really begins. As drivers will contest 125.82 km across 6 stages. Day three will see 150.88 km of stages across another 6 stages. To cap off the third event of the season drivers will contest 74.38 km across 6 stages on the fourth day.