The countdown to the 2026 WRC Safari Rally has begun in style after the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team unveiled a special Kenyan wildlife-inspired livery on its cars—an artistic tribute welcomed by Vivo Energy Kenya. The team’s three Hyundai i20 N Rally1 entries will feature striking images of Kenya’s iconic animals, including the hippopotamus, giraffe, elephant and zebra, alongside the playful tourism tagline “Oh Look! Over There!” displayed prominently on the driver and navigator doors.
Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Peter Murungi praised the move, describing it as a powerful celebration of Kenya’s global tourism brand, Origin of Wonder. “Vivo Energy Kenya, as the local Shell products marketer and distributor, welcomes the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team to Kenya and acknowledges the team’s befitting tribute to Kenya’s tourism product through the special rally car livery,” Murungi said. “Kenya is undoubtedly the Origin of Wonder, and we appreciate the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team for bestowing us the honour to spotlight our wildlife globally as we wish the team success.”
On the gravel, the team wasted no time showing its competitive intent. Belgian rally star Thierry Neuville set the fastest pace during the shakedown at the new Nawisa stage, clocking a benchmark time of 4min 33.1sec on his third pass of the 6.31km test route. The run marked a milestone for Neuville, as he made his 185th start in the FIA World Rally Championship, moving past legendary driver Sébastien Loeb on the championship’s all-time appearance list.
The Hyundai charge at Safari Rally will be led by French driver Adrien Fourmaux and navigator Alexandre Coria, who will start fourth on the road when the rally officially gets underway. They will be followed by reigning WRC champions Neuville and his navigator Martijn Wydaeghe in fifth position. The team’s third car will be piloted by Finnish driver Esapekka Lappi alongside navigator Enni Mälkönen, starting eighth.
As co-title sponsor and technical partner, Shell has supported Hyundai Motorsport’s lubricant development since 2014, helping deliver high-performance solutions for the punishing conditions of the WRC. Extreme rally environments—from scorching heat to rugged terrain—test the limits of engine protection, and products like Shell Helix Ultra are designed to withstand those pressures using PurePlus Technology to maintain engine cleanliness, durability and performance.
Insights from the team’s rally programme continue to shape Shell’s everyday automotive products, ensuring lessons learned in the world’s toughest rally stages translate into improved performance and protection for drivers on ordinary roads. As engines roar to life and the wildlife-themed cars line up for the start, this year’s Safari Rally promises both thrilling competition and a powerful global showcase of Kenya’s natural heritage.
