Rovanpera out of Safari Rally Kenya with mechanical problem

Kalle Rovanpera will leave Safari Rally Kenya without scoring any World Rally Championship points after retiring on the final day.

The two-time world champion’s latest setback, in what has been a gruelling Safari Rally, occurred following the opening stage of Sunday morning.

Rovanpera and co-driver Jonne Halttunen clocked the third-fastest time on stage 17 [Mzabibu], 3.7s adrift of Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, but were unable to start the following test of the loop.

The pair were seen making roadside repairs to their Toyota GR Yaris that had suffered a suspected alternator issue. Ultimately the crew were unable to rectify the issue, resulting in retirement from fifth position.

“Sadly it’s game over for us as we are forced to retire after the first stage of the morning with a technical issue,” Rovanpera posted on social media.

It is the first time Rovanpera has retired from the Safari Rally since the event rejoined the championship in 2021, having won the event twice, 2022 and 2024, while finishing second in 2023 and sixth in 2021.

Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Rovanpera admitted on Saturday night that he “definitely needed some good points” from Sunday after witnessing his bid for a third Safari Rally win evaporate on Saturday.

The Finn had started Saturday only 7.7s adrift of the lead held by team-mate and championship rival Elfyn Evans.

However, a pair of punctures on Saturday morning followed by a collision with a rock that damaged the GR Yaris’ left-rear suspension dropped Rovanpera to fifth, 6m06s behind Evans.

Sunday’s retirement will leave Rovanpera playing catch-up in the title race, having entered the Safari Rally 30 points behind points leader Evans after a difficult start to the year, headlined by struggles adjusting to the new-for-2025 Hankook tyres.

Toyota remained on course to maintain its 100% unbeaten run at the African classic since its return with Evans leading Hyundai’s Ott Tanak by 1m38.3s with two stages remaining.

Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, who topped the Super Sunday standings, held on to third ahead of Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta, who was fortunate to survive an off-road excursion in stage 18. Toyota’s Sami Pajari inherited fifth following Rovanpera’s retirement.