NAIROBI, Kenya, February 16, 2026 – Reigning constructor’s champions Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (WRT) head the 46-strong entry list released for this year’s WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha.
World champion, Sebastian Ogier and last year’s Safari Rally winner, Elfyn Evans, front a stacked full team of five cars for the Japanese manufacturer that has won every edition of Africa’s round of the WRC since it returned to the global calendar in 2021.
Current championship leader, Oliver Solberg who is fresh from winning the opening leg of the WRC — Rallye Monte Carlo — as well two-time Safari Rally podium finisher Takamoto Katsuta and rising Finnish star, Sami Pajari round off the imposing Gazoo Racing WRT cast.
Hyundai Racing WRT has also brought out their best as they chase an elusive first Safari Rally title, having been the only team to stop a complete Toyota podium sweep since 2021.
This year’s Safari Rally will be held in Naivasha, Kenya from March 12-15 and is the third leg of the 2026 WRC.
The South Korean manufacturer have placed their bet on the 2024 world champion Thierry Neuville of Belgium who will headline the team, which also comprise Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux and Finnish ace Esapekka Lappi.
Fourmaux joined Hyundai from American outfit Ford M-Sport Puma WRT with who he has competed in previous edition of the WRC event.
Meanwhile, Irishmen Joshua McErlean and Jon Amstrong will lead the M-Sport Puma charge that has entered two cars to bring the WRT entries for the Safari Rally to 10 WRC Rally 1 machines.
Away from the main category, top local drivers have also made strong entries, with Carl Tundo, a five-time Safari Rally champion (during it’s WRC hiatus) the most recognisable.
Two-time Africa Rally Champion Karan Patel, current junior Africa Rally Championship (ARC) champion Samman Singh Vohra and last year’s WRC 3 winner Nikhil Sachania are other big name Kenyan entries.
The ladies are also well-represented, with local favourites, Tinashe Gatimu returning with her mum Caroline Gatimu in a Ford Fiesta Rally4, which will score towards ARC3.
Pauline Shegu and Linet Ayuko have also entered a Subaru, with Nairobi-based lady driver Lisa Cristoferssen also in the mix.
