Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team has unveiled a Kenyan wildlife-themed “Origin of Wonder” livery on its Hyundai i20 N Rally1 cars, a gesture welcomed by Vivo Energy Kenya.
Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Peter Murungi has welcomed the decision to showcase a special Kenyan wildlife-themed livery on its rally cars ahead of the 2026 Safari Rally Kenya.
The gesture, unveiled as the rally revs off this week, celebrates Kenya’s tourism positioning as the “Origin of Wonder”, with the rally team incorporating iconic wildlife imagery on its vehicles.
Wildlife Livery Highlights Kenya’s Tourism Identity
The team’s three highly seeded Hyundai i20 N Rally1 cars are adorned with striking images of Kenya’s iconic wildlife, including hippopotamuses, giraffes, elephants and zebras.
Alongside sponsor branding, the cars feature the phrase “Oh Look! Over There!” displayed on the drivers’ and navigators’ door panels, drawing global attention to Kenya’s wildlife heritage during the globally watched rally.
Murungi described the initiative as a fitting tribute to Kenya’s tourism product and a powerful way to showcase the country’s natural attractions to international audiences.
“Vivo Energy Kenya, as the local marketer and distributor of Shell products, welcomes the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team to Kenya and acknowledges the team’s tribute to Kenya’s tourism product through the special rally car livery,” he said.
He added that the move reflects Kenya’s global identity as the Origin of Wonder and thanked the team for helping spotlight the country’s wildlife on a global stage.
Shell’s Longstanding Partnership with Hyundai Motorsport
As co-title sponsor and technical partner of the team, Shell has supported Hyundai Motorsport since 2014, supplying lubricants designed to perform under the extreme conditions of the FIA World Rally Championship.
The partnership focuses on high-performance innovation, with rally competition serving as a testing ground for advanced lubricant technologies used in everyday vehicles.
Neuville Sets the Pace in Shakedown
Meanwhile, Belgian driver Thierry Neuville set the fastest time during the rally’s Shakedown stage at the new Nawisa test section.
Driving his Hyundai i20 N Rally1, Neuville clocked a benchmark time of 4 minutes 33.1 seconds on his third and final pass of the 6.31-kilometre Nawisa stage, signaling strong early form ahead of the rally.
The appearance also marked Neuville’s 185th start in the WRC, moving him past rally legend Sébastien Loeb on the championship’s all-time appearance list.
Hyundai Crews Line Up for Safari Rally Challenge
At the rally’s Parc Fermé, the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team will be led by French driver Adrien Fourmaux and navigator Alexandre Coria, who will start in position four during the ceremonial flag-off.
They will be followed by teammates and reigning 2024 WRC drivers’ and co-drivers’ champions Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe in position five.
The team’s third car will be driven by Finnish rally driver Esapekka Lappi alongside navigator Enni Mälkönen, starting in position eight.
Rally Innovation Drives Everyday Performance
Rally competitions expose vehicles and lubricants to extreme temperatures, rugged terrain and intense mechanical stress, conditions that help refine products like Shell Helix Ultra.
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Technology, the lubricant is designed to maintain engine cleanliness, durability and performance even in demanding environments.
Insights gained from rally racing continue to shape Shell’s product innovations, transferring performance and protection benefits from the racetrack to everyday drivers worldwide.