Ford desperate to end Toyota dominance in 2025 Safari Rally

'The car Infront is always a Toyota' is a moniker that the Japanese Car manufacturer has proudly displayed on its billboards in the African continent and around the world.

Arguments are allowed. Others might choose different but Toyota have dominated sales in Africa thanks to their known robustness.

That 'alleged dominance has also been reflected on the Safari Rally Stage in the last three editions, with the Toyota GR Yaris coming on top in what is widely considered to be the world's toughest World Rally Championship race.

The 2025 Safari will pit three top manufacturers against each other at the elite Category 1 level. Ford will take on Hyundai and Toyota as they battle to see who has the best all-round car.

Passionate about this latest Safari challenge is Ford team Principal Richard Millener who says that his team is well prepared.

Looking ahead to the third round of this year’s FIA World Rally Championship, Millener admitted his British squad was as well prepared as ever for the classic African event.

“We all know what the Safari’s about,” he said. “We know how tough it can be, right up until the final kilometer, this is an event that can bite you, he told the World Rally Championship Media team.

“I think the whole team was proud of the podium we achieved last year (where Adrien Fourmaux finished third).

M-Sport is a team that has its foundations laid in reliability and durability, we’ve always made strong and fast cars. But this is the Safari and absolutely anything can happen. When you start this rally, you’re rolling the dice.” he quipped.

Asked if a repeat podium might be possible, Millener is confident.

“Everything is possible. The priority, I think everybody knows, is keeping the car in the middle of the road and trying to avoid the biggest rocks and the softest sand. Can we make the podium? In terms of pure pace, it’s probably early for our drivers, but like I said, anything can happen and that’s what we have in our minds.”

Ford M-Sport runs a trio of factory Ford Puma Rally 1 vehicles.

Their drivers Grégoire Munster, Josh McErlean and Jourdan Serderidis will represent the American manufacturer during the Naivasha-based rally that will be held March 20th to 23rd.