Estonian driver Robert Virves delivered a commanding performance to clinch the WRC2 title at the Safari Rally Kenya on Sunday in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
Navigated by co-driver Jakko Viilo, Virves kept his composure through the final four stages of the gruelling rally to secure victory with a comfortable 30.3-second margin over last year’s winner Gus Greensmith.
The Estonian driver capped off an impressive weekend by clocking the fourth fastest time in the second pass of the Hell’s Gate stage (SS20 – 10.48km), which also served as the Wolf Power Stage.
Driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Virves conquered one of the toughest rounds on the World Rally Championship calendar on his first attempt at the Kenyan classic.
“It feels amazing. To be honest, I wasn’t a big fan of coming here at the beginning, but we’re grateful to get through the rally without issues. It’s been an amazing effort from the team and I’m really happy,” said Virves.
Greensmith, alongside co-driver Jonas Andersson in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, settled for second place after a closely fought weekend in the competitive WRC2 field.
Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zaldivar completed the podium in third, finishing 41.3 seconds behind the winner. Zaldivar dedicated his result and Power Stage victory to his home country.
“I wish to dedicate the weekend in Kenya to my country Paraguay. It was such a tough weekend fighting for seconds with Greensmith,” he said. “I want to thank the team and my dad who came here.”
Fourth place went to Norwegian driver Andreas Mikkelsen and co-driver Jørn Listerud in another Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, while Paraguay’s Diego Domínguez and co-driver Rogelio Peñate rounded out the top five in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
WRC2 – Safari Rally Kenya 2026 Results
- Robert Virves / Jakko Viilo – Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 – 3:27:44.3
- Gus Greensmith / Jonas Andersson – Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 – 3:28:14.6 (+30.3)
- Fabrizio Zaldivar / Marcelo Der Ohannesian – Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 – 3:28:25.6 (+41.3)
- Andreas Mikkelsen / Jørn Listerud – Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 – 3:28:36.3 (+52.0)
- Diego Domínguez / Rogelio Peñate – Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 – 3:29:34.0 (+1:49.7)
The WRC spectacle now moves to the Croatia Rally next month as teams shift from the punishing gravel of Kenya to the high-speed asphalt stages of Europe.
