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. 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. 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. 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 round three, Safari Rally Kenya.
Championship Rundown
Thierry Neuville holds the championship lead heading into Safari Rally Kenya. Neuville now holds a three-point lead over Elfyn Evans. Adrien Fourmaux sits third in the championship after a strong first two events of the season. Fourmaux sits 16 points behind Evans. Sebastien Ogier moves down to fourth in the championship after Rally Sweden. This isn’t a surprise as the 8-time World Rally Champion didn’t contest Rally Sweden last month and will once again be absent in Kenya. Ogier sits five points behind fellow countryman Fourmaux. Ott Tänak rounds out the top five in the championship, with the Estonian sitting just three points behind Ogier.
Team Rundowns
Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT
Hyundai is having arguably their best season since they returned to the WRC in 2013. As the Korean manufacturer is two-for-two to start the season off. As Thierry Neuville took the win in Monte-Carlo and Esapekka Lappi in Sweden. The team likely won’t win Safari Rally Kenya however. As the team’s best result was third back in 2021. Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak and Esapekka Lappi will look to improve on that result this year. However, they will have to fend off a trio of Toyota drivers.
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Toyota has won every edition of Safari Rally Kenya since the event returned in 2021. Sebastien Ogier has won the event twice, while Kalle Rovanperä has won it once. Ogier won’t be attending this weekend as previously mentioned. Toyota has swept the podium the last two times at the event. The team will look to lock out the podium once again this year. It’ll be a tough task for Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta, who will have no safety net driver like they’ve had the last two years. Luckily for them, they drive the most reliable car in the championship. It’s also a car that hasn’t had many issues in Kenya.
M-Sport Ford WRT
M-Sport heads into Safari Kenya with two strong events under their belts. As Adrien Fourmaux has shocked many to start the season. As the Frenchman sits third in the championship heading into round three. While Grégoire Munster had a good showing in Monte-Carlo until his car got stuck. Munster had a worse showing in Sweden. Fourmuax is expected to drop off a little at the season’s toughest event. However, as previously mentioned, Fourmaux has done nothing but smash expectations this season.
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.
Earlier this month it was announced the Rally Islas Canarias will join the WRC in 2025 and 2026.
A New Event In A Familiar Place
The Rally Islas Canarias may be new to the WRC, however the country in which the event takes place is no stranger to the championship. As Spain has a rich history in the WRC. Spain has previously hosted a World Rally Championship round on multiple occasions. Rally De Catalunya has previously been Spain’s entry into the championship. With the event being a part of the championship 30 times in the WRC’s 50-some-year history. Spain was last featured as an event in 2022. Sebastien Ogier took home the win at the event.
Rally Islas Canarias History
The Rally Islas Canarias was first run in 1977 as a full tarmac event. Medardo Pérez took home the win in the first two runnings of the event. Names such as Gilles Panizzi, Didier Auriol, Piero Liatti, Adrien Fourmaux and Carlos Sainz have taken home the win at the event. The most recent winner is Yoann Bonato in 2023. The event has been a staple on the European Championship calendar since 2013 when it rejoined the calendar after a stint in the International Rally Challenge.
What To Expect From The Event?
The Rally Islas Canarias will give drivers a somewhat unique tarmac rally experience. The event will also give drivers some exquisite views throughout the event. However, they can’t get caught up in the scenery for too long as cliffs and various other obstacles line the sides of the stages.
When Could The Rally Islas Canarias Run?
No set date has been announced for the new event. As the event still has to be approved by the FIA for the 2025 WRC calendar. However, the event runs from May 2nd through 4th this year. This puts the event between the times the Croatia Rally and Rally Vodafone De Portugal run this season.
The Croatia Rally doesn’t have a known contract for the 2025 season at this point in time, however, they are in discussions at this time. However, with the addition of Rally Islas Canarias, the Croatia Rally may be without a spot next year and in 2026. As the Rally Islas Canarias is expected to once again run sometime between the middle of April and the second week of May next year. There is also a chance the event could move to the timeframe the Central European Rally runs in. As the CER also doesn’t have a known contract for next season.
Earlier this week it was announced that reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä will contest Safari Rally Kenya next month.
Second Event Of The Season
Kalle Rovanperä is only doing a partial campaign in 2024. As the reigning champion is taking the year to explore other motorsport disciplines and to take time off. Safari Rally Kenya will be Rovanperä’s second event of the season. Statistically, Rovanperä has done well at the calendar’s most challenging event. As the two-time champion has won the event once back in 2022 and finished second last season. Rovanperä is expected to be one of the front runners yet again this season.
A Bit Unexpected
Kalle Rovanperä wasn’t expected to contest Safari Rally Kenya. As Sebastien Ogier was expected to after winning the event last season. Nevertheless, Rovanperä is a welcomed addition to the event. This will likely open the door for Ogier to contest Croatia in April and then one of Rally Italia Sardegna or Vodafone Rally De Portugal in a few months. Both Ogier and Rovanperä are strong at the event. As Toyota will be looking to lock out the podium once again this season. As they’ve done so the last two runnings of the event. Hyundai will try their hardest to stop this. At this time it’s unknown who will fill the third seat for Hyundai at the event. It’s expected to be Rally Sweden winner Esapekka Lappi, however, the team has yet to confirm.
No 1-2-3-4 This Year
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT has nearly locked out the top five at Safari Rally Kenya for the past two seasons. This season it will be impossible for them to do so. As they will only be running three cars, hence they can’t have a 1-2-3-4 finish. Nevertheless, the team is expected to pull out almost all the stops to claim a podium lockout again this season.
Esapekka Lappi’s win at Rally Sweden is an extra special one for Hyundai. Find out why below.
Why Was This Win Special?
Every win in the World Rally Championship is special. However, Lappi’s win in Rally Sweden is a different kind of special. This was not only Lappi’s second event win. Rally Sweden 2024 had a special meaning for everyone in paddocks. As it marks one year since Craig Breen’s final rally. Breen finished second overall last season to Ott Tänak. Lappi claiming the win this time out was special because Hyundai were honoring Breen all weekend long. Giving this win a much deeper meaning. The team wore Breen’s famed “Breenies” all weekend long to honor the fallen star. The Brattby stage was also renamed to #42 Brattby to honor the Mayor of Brattby.
Honoring The Mayor Of Brattby
During Lappi’s podium celebration the team put a poster stating “In honour of the Mayor Of Brattby” with a picture of Breen holding up last year’s trophy beside it on the car’s windshield. This goes to show the team were indeed honoring the Irish star this past weekend. Breen has been deeply missed by the rally community since his passing in April during a pre-event test for the Croatia Rally. Since then Hyundai have continued to honor Breen every chance they’ve gotten. With the team still running a sticker on the back of the i20 Rally1 saying #ForCraig in honor of Breen. Don’t be surprised if the team honor Breen again during the Croatia Rally in April. As well as continue to honor him throughout the 2024 season.
Breen’s Presence
Craig Breen was one of the brightest and most joyful people in the paddocks. No matter what was going on he always seemed to lighten the mood and knew what to say. He was always willing to make a joke. He always had a smile on his face. Breen was one of the best to lace up a pair of driving boots to never win an event.