Neuville clinches Nawisa shakedown to take early Safari Rally lead

The Hyundai driver clocked 4:33.1 on the rally’s brand-new test stage to edge Toyota’s Oliver Solberg by 1.8 seconds, with fellow Toyota youngster Sami Pajari completing the top three.

This year’s Safari has already taken on a new dimension after heavy rains pounded parts of the rally route in the days leading to the event, leaving drivers bracing for treacherous conditions as the third round of the World Rally Championship gets underway.

“I don’t think anyone can predict the final result here this weekend,” said shakedown winner Neuville.

“It’s going to be a good adventure and I’m really looking forward. We just need to find the fine line between going fast but not too fast.”

Championship leader Elfyn Evans, who shares the top of the standings battle with Solberg in the Toyota camp, finished fourth after initially setting the joint-fastest time on the opening shakedown run alongside Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux.

Evans warned that the unpredictable Kenyan terrain could turn the rally into a test of endurance.

“It’s looking like it’s going to be a tough weekend, very extreme conditions,” Evans said.

“We’ve seen a bit of everything on recce and it should be the same on the rally as well.”

Multi world champion Sébastien Ogier completed the top five and also expects survival to play a big role once the competitive stages begin.

“It looks more challenging than ever,” Ogier noted.

Finland’s Esapekka Lappi placed sixth on the shakedown, predicting a “very wild” rally as crews prepare for the demanding Kenyan terrain.

The rally officially gets underway later Thursday with the opening competitive stages around Naivasha.

2026 Safari Rally Shakedown Results (Top Times)

1. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) – 4:33.1

2. Oliver Solberg (Toyota) – +1.8s

3. Sami Pajari (Toyota) – +2.2s

4. Elfyn Evans (Toyota) – +2.4s

5. Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) – +2.6s