WRC
Fourmaux hails “proper team effort” in run to first podium of 2026
Adrien Fourmaux hailed the “unbelievable” work of Hyundai’s mechanics and believes the team’s first podium of the WRC season at Safari Rally Kenya was down to a “proper team effort”.
After witnessing Toyota lock out the podium in the opening two rounds in Monte Carlo and Sweden, Hyundai hit back in Africa as Fourmaux and Alex Coria fought through everything the toughest Safari Rally in recent memory threw at them to finish second, 27.4sec behind first-time winners Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston.
A shot at a podium looked bleak for Hyundai as Toyota held the top five positions at the end of Friday, with Fourmaux sitting sixth, 1min 47.3sec from the lead.
All three Hyundais had been fighting overheating issues as Kenya’s thick mud began to clog the i20 N’s radiators. It meant crews had to work hard between stages, cleaning radiators with pressure washers and removing mud from the car’s clutch to complete stages and return to service.
A herculean effort from the team was then required at the 30-minute midday service on Saturday. The whole team was involved in preparing the three cars, carrying out gearbox, clutch and suspension changes, in addition to repairing any other damage.
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However, Fourmaux managed to climb into the podium places as the rally took its toll on his rivals. The Frenchman then applied pressure on Katsuta on Sunday in an attempt to snatch victory, but ultimately had to settle for second.
“It is a relief after four tough days to be on the podium,” said Fourmaux. “As I said on Thursday, at Safari Rally it is not over until the end. It shows that we never give up, even if we had to make up a lot of time on Friday and then had some other issues on Saturday. We were ahead of Taka and then to see him winning now is quite painful, but at the same time the plan on this rally was that everyone would have some issues, and the aim was to have fewer than the others.
“We can be pleased with how we managed it. Thank you and congratulations to the team. It was a proper team effort. The mechanics, the job they did on Saturday at the midday service, was just unbelievable, so it is really thanks to them. It was a big team effort.
“It is our first podium [of the year] and I hope others follow. It was important for the team to get a podium. We have been away from the podium for the previous two rallies, which is really not great, so I hope more will come in Croatia.”
Hyundai left Kenya with a decent haul of points after Esapekka Lappi and Enni Mälkönen delivered a hard-earned fourth place, while Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe rejoined the rally after retiring with a driveshaft failure to pick up four Super Sunday points.
“This has been an exceptional Safari Rally Kenya in the modern era, with incredible performances from every single team member to secure first and third in the manufacturers’ standings from this really challenging event,” said Hyundai sporting director Andrew Wheatley.
“We were tested to the limit here in Kenya, but with a huge effort by the crews, who had to work equally hard on and off the stages, we ensured that Adrien could finish second overall, EP could do exactly what he was asked to do to finish fourth despite all the challenges, and Thierry could demonstrate pace and determination to bring the car home in 12th.
“This will be a rally we remember for a long time, because of the extreme conditions, but also the strong result the whole team was able to achieve.”
