The 2026 WRC Safari Rally roared to life today in the Great Rift Valley, and it was a masterclass in survival as the world’s elite drivers faced a rain-lashed “Nawisa” shakedown and the punishing Camp Moran stage.
Toyota Gazoo Racing has laid down an early marker, occupying the top three spots as the sun set over Lake Naivasha. Oliver Solberg, continuing his red-hot form this season, leads the pack after a “wild” run through the mud that left his rivals reeling.
Following close behind is teammate Elfyn Evans, the current championship leader, who showed exactly why he is the man to beat this year with a composed performance on treacherous gravel.
The legendary Sebastien Ogier rounded out the Toyota lockout in third, but the day wasn’t without drama. Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, who topped the morning shakedown, saw his luck turn in the afternoon stages, falling over two minutes behind the lead.
Meanwhile, fan-favorite Takamoto Katsuta survived a harrowing run after his intercom failed, forcing him to navigate the high-speed tracks in near-silence.
With the “Marathon” Friday ahead, the world’s best have their work cut out for them as the Safari’s unpredictable weather continues to turn the leaderboard upside down.
WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2026 Leaderboard:
1 Thierry Neuville Hyundai i20 N Rally1 4:33.1 (Shakedown Lead)
2 Oliver Solberg Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +1.8s
3 Sami Pajari Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +2.2s
4 Elfyn Evans Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +2.4s
5 Sebastien Ogier Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +2.6s
6 Esapekka Lappi Hyundai i20 N Rally1 +3.5s
7 Josh McErlean Ford Puma Rally1 +3.8s
8 Takamoto Katsuta Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +4.4s
9 Jon Armstrong Ford Puma Rally1 +4.5s
10 Adrien Fourmaux Hyundai i20 N Rally1 +5.5d
That was incredible to watch, especially seeing how they navigated those tricky sections. The mud really seemed to test everyone’s skill.