WRC Portugal: Adrien Fourmaux off gives Sebastien Ogier rally lead
Reigning world rally champion Sebastien Ogier ended Friday leading Rally Portugal after a wild off inflicted a double puncture for Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux.Ogier had started Friday’s leg struggling to extract the desired pace from his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, but changes made during the midday remote service sparked an afternoon resurgence. The nine-time world rally champion headed …Keep reading
Dani Sordo questions “stupid” WRC tyre rules amid compound mix up
Dani Sordo called for changes to the regulations after labelling the rules that forced World Rally Championship crews to select tyres 13 hours before they needed to be used as “stupid”.WRC crews in Portugal had to make tyre choices for Friday morning’s opening loop immediately after Thursday evening’s stage three, which concluded at 7pm. A tyre fitting zone followed the stage, as …Keep reading
WRC Portugal: Hyundai on top as overnight leader Oliver Solberg loses time
Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux reclaimed the Rally Portugal lead after overnight leader Oliver Solberg struggled for pace across Friday morning’s loop of stages.Fourmaux started the day 3.4 seconds behind Solberg, but was able to leapfrog the Toyota driver in the opening stage of Friday’s mammoth seven-stage itinerary.Fourmaux delivered a strong pace across the three stages, posting top …Keep reading
Solberg grabs early WRC Portugal Rally lead
Oliver Solberg made the strongest start to WRC Rally Portugal, the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver ending Thursday’s short opening leg with a 3.4s advantage over Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux.The 24-year-old Swede took control on the second test, 12.58-mile Sever-Albergaria, where his fastest time moved him to the head of the field…
Oliver Solberg grabs Rally Portugal lead as Hyundai shows early speed
Toyota’s Oliver Solberg moved into an early lead at Rally Portugal at the end of the opening leg of the first pure gravel event of the World Rally Championship season.Solberg navigated through two traditional rough gravel stages and an asphalt super special with a 3.4s margin over Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux. Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier recovered from a slow start to sit third, 7.2s from the …Keep reading
Will Rally Portugal gravel put WRC pacesetters on the back foot?
The FIA World Rally Championship’s early-season pacesetters face a very different kind of test this week as Rally Portugal threatens to turn their strong positions in the points battle into a disadvantage. After five rounds, Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers Elfyn Evans (above, during shakedown), Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari occupy…
Why WRC drivers expect Portugal to deliver a rally that has “everything”
Rough gravel stages, long periods without service, changeable weather and increased competition will make Rally Portugal a challenge that will have “everything”, according to World Rally Championship drivers.The first pure gravel rally of the season looks set to offer up one of the biggest tests of 2026 for crews and teams, and perhaps the hardest-fought rally of the campaign to …Keep reading
Hyundai brings WRC engine upgrade to Rally Portugal
Hyundai has brought an upgraded engine to Rally Portugal in a bid to close the gap and take the fight to World Rally Championship rivals Toyota.The Korean marque has struggled to extract pace consistently from its i20 N Rally1 car, while Toyota has seemingly taken a step forward, having won all five rounds of the season to date.Hyundai has been working on upgrades to widen its WRC car’s …Keep reading
How Ott Tanak can help Toyota’s WRC 2027 car development
Ott Tanak taking on a role to help develop Toyota’s 2027 World Rally Championship car will provide useful information and reduce workload for the team’s current drivers, says Sebastien Ogier.Toyota has enlisted the services of 2019 world champion Tanak to help carry out valuable testing and develop the Japanese brand’s all-new car built to the WRC’s new technical regulations that will …Keep reading
Why Hyundai’s WRC season “really starts” at Rally Portugal
The World Rally Championship’s first pure gravel rally of the season in Portugal this week is seen as an opportunity for Hyundai to ignite its 2026 campaign.Hyundai has been firmly on the back foot this season, having struggled to extract pace from an i20 N Rally1 that features a narrow operating window.The Korean team’s struggles have coincided with a step forward from rival Toyota …Keep reading