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Vivo Energy Kenya Applauds Hyundai’s Kenya Wildlife Livery at WRC Safari Rally
Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Peter Murungi has welcomed the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team for showcasing a special Kenyan wildlife livery as the WRC Safari Rally 2026 begins.
In a rare tribute to Kenya’s “Origin of Wonder” tourism brand, the team’s three Hyundai i20 N Rally1 cars now feature designs inspired by iconic wildlife. These include the hippopotamus, giraffe, elephant and zebra. In addition, the cars carry the “Oh Look! Over There!” tagline across the drivers’ and navigators’ doors.
Murungi praised the gesture and wished the team success in the rally. He said the move highlights Kenya’s tourism appeal on a global stage. He also noted that Vivo Energy Kenya, as the local Shell products marketer and distributor, values the recognition of Kenya’s natural heritage.
Meanwhile, Shell continues to support Hyundai Motorsport as a co-title sponsor and technical partner. The partnership, which began in 2014, focuses on delivering high-performance lubricants for the FIA World Rally Championship.
Vivo Energy Kenya Applauds Hyundai’s Kenya Wildlife Livery at WRC Safari Rally
Neuville Sets the Pace as Safari Rally Action Begins
Action on the ground started with the Shakedown at the new Nawisa stage. Thierry Neuville set the fastest time, clocking 4 minutes 33.1 seconds on his final run. The Belgian driver also marked his 185th WRC start, moving past Sébastien Loeb on the all-time appearance list.
At the Parc Fermé, Adrien Fourmaux and navigator Alexandre Coria will lead the Hyundai team. They will start in position four. Close behind, reigning champions Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe will take position five.
The third Hyundai crew, featuring Esapekka Lappi and navigator Enni Mälkönen, will start in position eight.
The Safari Rally remains one of the toughest events in the championship. It tests both driver skill and machine endurance across extreme conditions. Therefore, products such as Shell Helix Ultra play a key role in protecting engines under pressure.
Shell continues to transfer lessons from motorsport into everyday products. As a result, drivers benefit from improved engine performance, durability and reliability both on and off the track.
