Gerald Kyalo. (geraldbway).
Thierry Neuville has set the tone for the 2026 Safari Rally, topping the shakedown times with a blazing 4:33.1 in his Hyundai i20 N Rally1. The Belgian champion edged out Oliver Solberg's Toyota by just 1.8 seconds, with Sami Pajari, Elfyn Evans, and Sébastien Ogier rounding out the top five.
Neuville's impressive performance came on his third run through the 6.31km Nawisa shakedown stage, showcasing his mastery of the tricky Kenyan terrain. "I believe it will be a lottery again. We just buy a ticket and hope for the best," said Esapekka Lappi, another Hyundai driver who finished sixth.
Solberg's second-place finish is a promising sign for Toyota, with his teammates Pajari and Evans not far behind. "The conditions were consistent, the feeling was good, and we could catch some time and some positions," said Evans.
The Safari Rally is known for its brutal mix of dust, rock, mud, and unpredictable weather, making survival as important as outright speed. Neuville's experience and skill will certainly be tested in the days ahead.
*Top 10 Shakedown 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
6. *Esapekka Lappi* (Hyundai) - +3.5s
7. *Josh McErlean* (Ford) - +3.8s
8. *Takamoto Katsuta* (Toyota) - +4.4s
9. *Jon Armstrong* (Ford) - +4.5s
10. *Adrien Fourmaux* (Hyundai) - +5.5s
The Safari Rally kicks off today with the first two special stages, and the action is expected to be intense.
Neuville's impressive performance came on his third run through the 6.31km Nawisa shakedown stage, showcasing his mastery of the tricky Kenyan terrain. "I believe it will be a lottery again. We just buy a ticket and hope for the best," said Esapekka Lappi, another Hyundai driver who finished sixth.
Solberg's second-place finish is a promising sign for Toyota, with his teammates Pajari and Evans not far behind. "The conditions were consistent, the feeling was good, and we could catch some time and some positions," said Evans.
The Safari Rally is known for its brutal mix of dust, rock, mud, and unpredictable weather, making survival as important as outright speed. Neuville's experience and skill will certainly be tested in the days ahead.
*Top 10 Shakedown 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
6. *Esapekka Lappi* (Hyundai) - +3.5s
7. *Josh McErlean* (Ford) - +3.8s
8. *Takamoto Katsuta* (Toyota) - +4.4s
9. *Jon Armstrong* (Ford) - +4.5s
10. *Adrien Fourmaux* (Hyundai) - +5.5s
The Safari Rally kicks off today with the first two special stages, and the action is expected to be intense.
