'Big Five' changes afoot for teams as WRC reaches Safari Rally Kenya

After the slippery roads of Monte Carlo and the icy snow of Sweden, the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season heads to the great plains of Africa for the Safari Rally Kenya.

With breathtaking scenery as backdrop to the action, it is not only a battle of speed but endurance as cars and crews are tested and punished perhaps more than any other round.

Not only will there be the Big Five game to spot too, there will be five notable changes made by competitors as they adapted their vehicles for an all-terrain bonanza.

With mud, rocks, jumps and rutted roads, not to mention water crossings and 'fech fech' sand, DAZN News takes a look at the five key differences you may spot in this event.

Ride height, for when the going gets rough

WRC

The Safari Rally requires high ground clearance due to rocky and uneven terrain, which means plenty of the top-of-the-line Rally1 cars will be the tallest they will be all season.

That will ensure drivers can glide over rough surfaces without underside damage or getting stuck, a common issue that crops up on some of the more brutal stages of the event.

Upgraded sump guards on the cars too help protect the underside from higher ground and rocks churned up beneath the tyres amid tough surfaces and unpredictable weather.

To further handle this, Rally1 cars will come with heavily modified suspension too, with reinforced setups designed to cope with extreme impacts and to maintain ride stability.

These modifications will ensure that the vehicles can handle the varied conditions the Safari Rally will throw at them, from gravel and dirt to rocky paths and high-impact jumps.

Snorkel, for when the cars need to breathe

WRC

The Safari Rally takes place in frequently hazardous weather conditions, with very dusty tracks and often wet stages peppered with water crossings relatively common throughout.

To ensure that the Rally1 engines do not ingest water or dust as a result, snorkels will be fitted to the cars, offering an extended air intake system for the vehicles at this event.

The device will raise the engine's air intake above the typical ground level, and helps prevent water and dirt from entering the engine on river crossings or muddy, dusty tracks.

The snorkel will allow better airflow and help maintain engine performance too, which can be crucial for high-speed sections that might follow where performance and pace is vital.

Tyres, for when drivers must take on all comers

WRC

2025 has seen Hankook become the official tyre supplier to the World Rally Championship, and the first two races has given the South Korean firm a real test bed for its range.

In Monte Carlo, wide and grippy dry tyres were available alongside winter options, while in Sweden, drivers used ice tyres, complete with thousands of studs, to improve grip.

In Kenya, Hankook will offer their gravel option, the Dynapro R213, featuring a deep tread pattern designed to clear loose surface gravel and help find a firmer footing beneath.

These tyres are also more robustly durable than your normal road option, with firmer sidewalls to help prevent cuts, punctures and damage from rocks, ruts and compressions.

Lights, to warn off the varied wildlife

WRC

Home to a vast array of wildlife, including the Big Five game - lion, leopard, rhinoceros, African elephant, and African buffalo - Kenya comes with added four-legged hazards.

Cars on the Safari Rally frequently race through areas where animals roam freely, which can present stunning imagery but also a problem for both them and the crews too.

To mitigate this risk. warning lights will be fitted to the cars, in addition to the usual rigs, either in 'spotlights higher on the vehicle or as pulsating lights fitted in the front light cluster.

These extra lights are designed to alert wildlife of the approaching drivers, giving them a chance to move out of harm's way before a close scrape between animal and machine.

Window tints, for more than just privacy

WRC

With harsh environmental conditions in Kenya to contend with, window tints come in use for drivers as they seek to stave off the elements during the Safari Rally's varied stages.

Intense sun, especially at higher altitudes, and additional heat and dust can be overwhelming for competitors, with tints helping to reduce overall heat and glare in the cockpit.

That provides better visibility and comfort for both drivers and co-drivers, as well as helping to keep electronics and equipment on vehicles at optimum operating temperatures.

Watch 2025 World Rally Championship on DAZN

DAZN

The 2025 World Rally Championship is available through DAZN on its own dedicated app channel,  Rally TV.

It is available either as a dedicated Rally TV subscription, or as part of your existing DAZN subscription for a small add-on fee.

DAZN is the home of Rally TV worldwide, excluding Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, China, Hong Kong and Japan.

Rally TV also broadcasts every race from the European Rally Championship.

Watch every WRC and ERC race this year on DAZN's 24-hour dedicated Rally TV channel. For more information on prices, subscriptions and more, click here.