The first day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024 has come to a close. Thierry Neuville leads after the days lone stage.
Shakedown
Gus Greensmith topped the shakedown stage in the WRC2 category. With a time 0.3 seconds faster than fellow Toksport teammate Pierre-Louis Loubet. Oliver Solberg finished third fastest, 0.8 seconds slower than Greensmith and 0.5 seconds slower than Loubet. Sami Pajari posted the fourth fastest time in the shakedown stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Solberg. Roope Korhenon rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS1, Figueira da Foz
WRC2 championship leader Yohan Rossel took home an early advantage on SS1 with a stage win. As the Frenchman set a time 0.5 seconds faster than fellow countryman Pierre-Louis Loubet. Kris Meeke finished third fastest on the opening stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024. Finishing 1.1 seconds slower than Rossel and 0.6 seconds slower than Loubet. Oliver Solberg was fourth quickest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Meeke. Armindo Araújo rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Solberg.
What To Expect From Vodafone Rally De Portugal Day Two
The second day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal is where the action truly gets underway. Drivers will contest 126.90 km across eight stages. The day’s longest stage will be the 18.72 km Agranil stage. While the shortest is the 12.28 km Lousã stage. Drivers may opt to drive more on the side of caution. As the day doesn’t feature a midday service. In addition to not having a midday service. Drivers will have to use the same tires as day one’s SuperSpecial stage for the morning loop. This will add an additional challenge for the drivers during the opening loop of four stages. Yohan Rossel will be the first WRC2 car on the road, followed by Oliver Solberg and Nikolay Gryazin.