Fourmaux secures maiden 2026 podium at Safari Rally Kenya

Adrien Fourmaux and co-driver Alex Coria delivered a resilient performance to claim second place at Safari Rally Kenya, successfully breaking Toyota’s dominance in the 2026 World Rally Championship. Despite trailing the leaders by nearly two minutes early on Friday, the Hyundai pair steadily climbed the leaderboard as the event's grueling terrain and mud-clogged radiators took a toll on the field.

The result was heavily supported by a massive collective effort from the Hyundai service crew, who managed complex mechanical repairs to the i20 N under extreme pressure during Saturday's midday break. While Fourmaux pushed eventual winner Takamoto Katsuta for the top spot on Sunday, he ultimately secured the runner-up position to earn his team its first podium of the year.

Hyundai bolstered its points tally further as Esapekka Lappi finished in fourth, with Thierry Neuville adding vital points through Sunday’s classification despite an earlier retirement. Sporting director Andrew Wheatley praised the squad’s persistence, noting that the team’s ability to manage the Kenyan conditions proved essential to their successful weekend.