Takamoto Katsuta achieved an emotional victory at the 2026 WRC Safari Rally in Kenya, dedicating his win to his friend Ott Tanak.

• Katsuta secured his first Safari title with a winning time of 3:16:05.6.
• The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver finished ahead of Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai) and teammate Sami Pajari.
• The win came after several challenging moments for Katsuta and a season where his friend Ott Tanak retired from racing.

The 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya in Naivasha is testing drivers with extreme conditions, leading to a significant focus on tyre technology.

• 90 percent of drivers have opted for Hankook Tire and Technology Limited's new Dynapro R123 soft gravel tyre specification.
• Hankook Tire and Technology Limited, the official and exclusive supplier for the 2026 FIA WRC season, introduced the advanced tyre.
• The Dynapro R123 is engineered with an optimized compound for enhanced low-temperature flexibility and improved grip on wet and slippery surfaces, addressing the challenges of mud, sand, and rocks.

Leonardo Varese, a SportPesa Racing driver, is a fan favorite at the Safari Rally in Naivasha, impressing spectators with his Toyota GR Yaris Rally3 machine while competing in the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) category.

• Varese, navigating with Kigo Kareithi, is aiming for a top-five finish in his debut, exceeding their initial expectations.
• SportPesa is supporting Varese with significant funding, including a Sh40 million sponsorship.
• The rally has attracted significant fan interest, with SportPesa setting up hospitality tents and witnessing global attendance.