Rally Italia Sardegna Neuville Wins

The fourth and final day of Rally Italia Sardegna has come to an end. Thierry Neuville would take home the win. 

SS16, ARZACHENA – BRANIATOGGHIU 1

Stage 16 would see a returning Ott Tänak take the stage win. With Tänak setting a time 4.3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans who tied for second on the stage. WRC2 driver Sammy Pajari would take third on the stage, finishing 4.2 seconds slower than Neuville and Evans. Esapekka Lappi would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.8 seconds slower than Pajari. 

SS17, SARDEGNA 1

Ott Tänak would also take the stage win on SS17 of Rally Italia Sardegna. With Tänak setting a time 2.3 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta to take the stage win this time. Sebastien Ogier would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, finishing 3.1 seconds slower than Katsuta. Thierry Neuville would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, setting a time 3 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Neuville. 

SS18, ARZACHENA – BRANIATOGGHIU 2

Takamoto Katsuta would take the stage win on SS18. With Katsuta setting a time 4.4 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to take the stage win. Thierry Neuville would take the third fastest time on the stage, finishing 0.5 seconds slower than Lappi. Elfyn Evans would finish with the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 2.3 seconds slower than Neuville. Sammy Pajari would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 1 second slower than Evans on the stage. 

SS19, SARDEGNA 2 – WOLF POWER STAGE

Kalle Rovanperä would take the final stage win of Rally Italia Sardegna. As Rovanperä would set a time 4.7 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta would take home third on the stage, finishing 0.1 seconds slower than Tänak. Elfyn Evans and Sebastien Ogier would tie for fourth on the stage, with both finishing 1.9 seconds slower than Katsuta. 

Rally Italia Sardegna Day One Recap
Rally Italia Sardegna Day Two Recap
Rally Italia Sardegna Day Three Recap

Day three of the Rally Italia Sardegna has come to an end. Thierry Neuville would take the lead from Esapekka Lappi. 

SS8, COILUNA-LOELLE 1

Stage eight would see Thierry Neuville take the stage win. Neuville would set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier who set the second-fastest time on the stage. Kalle Rovanperä would set the third fastest time on the stage, setting a time 0.2 seconds slower than Ogier. Esapekka Lappi would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 1.6 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 6.6 seconds slower than Lappi. 

SS9, FILIGOSU 1

Stage nine of Rally Italia Sardegna would once again see Thierry Neuville take the stage win. Neuville would finish with a time 2.2 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi who set the second-fastest time on the stage. Sebastien Ogier would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 2 seconds slower than Lappi. Kalle Rovanperä would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, setting a time 2.3 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 7.5 seconds slower than Rovanperä. 

SS10, ERULA – TULA 1

Stage 10 would see Sebastien Ogier top the stage. With Ogier setting a time 4.9 seconds faster than Dani Sordo who would set the second-fastest time on the stage. Esapekka Lappi would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, with a time 8.1 seconds slower than Sordo. Kalle Rovanperä would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, setting a time 1.3 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 0.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä. 

SS11, TEMPIO PAUSANIA 1

Stage 11 of Rally Italia Sardegna would see Thierry Neuville back on top. With Neuville setting a time 3 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the stage win. Kalle Rovanperä would set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 3.7 seconds slower than Ogier. Dani Sordo would finish with the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 1.3 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Esapekka Lappi would round out the top five, setting a time 3.5 seconds slower than Sordo. 

SS12, COILUNA-LOELLE 2

Stage 12 would see Esapekka Lappi take the stage win. With Lappi setting a time 3 seconds faster than his Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville who placed second on the stage. Sebastien Ogier would place third on the stage, setting a time 4.7 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 2 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 6 seconds slower than Rovanperä. 

SS13, SU FILIGOSU 2

Stage 13 of Rally Italia Sardegna would see Thierry Neuville take his fourth stage win of the day. As Neuville would set a time 3.7 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to take the stage win. Esapekka Lappi would set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 2.7 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Sebastien Ogier would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, setting a time 6.2 seconds slower than Lappi. Dani Sordo would round out the top five on the stage, with a time 25.3 seconds slower than Ogier. 

SS14, ERULA – TULA 2

Stage 14 would see Dani Sordo take home the stage win. As Sordo would set a time 5.7 seconds faster than his Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville to take home the stage win. Esapekka Lappi would set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 26.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä would finish with the fourth fastest time on the stage, 19.6 seconds slower than Lappi. Elfyn Evans would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 9.6 seconds slower than Rovanperä. 

SS15, TEMPIO PAUSANIA 2

Stage 15 of Rally Italia Sardegna would see Thierry Neuville take his fifth stage win of the day. Neuville would set a time 10.8 seconds faster than Dani Sordo who finished second on the stage. Eflyn Evans would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, setting a time 1.5 seconds slower than Sordo. Esapekka Lappi would finish with the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 0.3 seconds slower than Evans. Kalle Rovanperä would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 2.4 seconds slower than Lappi. 

Chaos Ensues

Day three would see three of the remaining eight WRC1 drivers retire during the day. First would be Takamoto Katsuta who would retire on SS8 due to a mechanical issue caused by water damage. Ott Tänak would retire on SS9 also due to a mechanical issue caused by water damage. Sebastien Ogier would be the final driver to retire. With Ogier retiring on SS14 due to going off road. 

Rally Italia Sardegna Day One Recap

Rally Italia Sardegna Day Two Recap

Day two of Rally Italia Sardegna has come to an end. Esapekka Lappi maintained his lead, now leading Sebastien Ogier by 0.1 seconds. 

SS2, TANTARILES 20RIS 1

Sebastien Ogier finished with the fastest time on the stage. Ogier was 1.7 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi who set the second fastest time on the stage. Pierre-Louis Loubet would set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 3 seconds slower than Lappi’s time. Takamoto Katsuta finished with the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Loubet’s time. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 0.9 seconds slower than Katsuta’s time. 

SS3, TERRANOVA 1

Stage three of Rally Italia Sardegna saw Takamoto Katsuta take the stage win, setting a time 1.1 seconds faster than Dani Sordo who placed second on the stage. Thierry Neuville was the third fastest time on the stage, setting a time 0.3 seconds slower than Sordo’s time. Pierre-Louis Loubet set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 1.1 seconds slower than Neuville’s time. Esapekka Lappi would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 0.2 seconds slower than Loubet’s time. 

SS4, MONTE LERNO – SA CONCHEDDA 1

Stage four would see Sebastien Ogier take the stage win. Ogier would set a time 12.7 seconds faster than Eflyn Evans who would set the second-fastest time on the stage. Esapekka Lappi would set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 4 seconds slower than Evans time. Pierre-Louis Loubet would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, setting a time 0.8 seconds slower than Lappi’s time. Thierry Neuville would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 8.4 seconds slower than Loubet’s time. 

SS5, TANTARILES 20RIS 2

Stage five of Rally Italia Sardegna would see Esapekka Lappi take the stage win. Lappi would set a time 6.4 seconds faster than Pierre-Louis Loubet who placed second on the stage. Thierry Neuville would set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 0.3 seconds slower than Loubet. Sebastien Ogier would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 0.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 1.3 seconds slower than Ogier. 

SS6, TERRANOVA 2

Thierry Neuville took the stage win. Neuville set a time 2.6 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi who set the second-fastest time on the stage. Takamoto Katsuta ran the third fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 0.9 seconds slower than Lappi. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 0.9 seconds slower than Katsuta. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 0.2 seconds slower than Tänak. 

SS7, MONTE LERNO – SA CONCHEDDA 2

Kalle Rovanperä took the stage win. Rovanperä set a time 2.1 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi who set the second fastest time on the stage. Thierry Neuville set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 0.6 seconds slower than Lappi. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, setting a time 6.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Dani Sordo completed the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 13.5 seconds slower than Ogier. 

Stages 8-15 will take place on Saturday. Lappi currently holds an overall 0.1s lead over Ogier so it could be anyone’s day.

Rally Italia Sardegna Day One Recap

Check out more at WRC+.

The first day of Rally Italia Sardegna has come to an end. Elfyn Evans leads Ott Tänak by 0.2 seconds after the day. 

Shakedown

Esapekka Lappi set the fastest time on the Rally Italia Sardegna shakedown. Finishing the shakedown stage 0.6 seconds faster than his Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville who set the second-quickest time. Sebastien Ogier and Pierre-Louis Loubet tied for the third quickest time on the shakedown stage. With both Ogier and Loubet posting a time 0.6 seconds slower than Neuville. Dani Sordo would set the fifth fastest time on the shakedown, setting a time 0.3 seconds slower than Ogier and Loubet. Kalle Rovanperä set the sixth fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 0.2 seconds slower than Sordo. Rovanperä’s teammate Takamoto Katsuta was seventh fastest on the stage, setting a time a mere 0.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Ott Tänak had the eighth fastest time on the shakedown stage, finishing with a time 0.2 seconds slower than Katsuta. Elfyn Evans would finish with the slowest time of the Rally1 class on the shakedown stage. With Evans setting a time 0.9 seconds slower than Tänak.

SS1 OLBIA-CABU ABBAS

The first stage of Rally Italia Sardegna would see Esapekka Lappi take the stage win. Lappi set a time 0.2 seconds faster than Ott Tänak who set the second fastest time on the stage. Thierry Neuville finished with the third fastest time on the stage, with a time 0.3 seconds slower than his former Hyundai teammate Ott Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta was fourth fastest, finishing with a time 0.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta. 

Rally Italia Sardegna Preview: WRC1

The 2023 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with the sixth round Rally Italia Sardegna. 

Drivers’ Championship Rundown

Reigning WRC Drivers Champion Kalle Rovanperä would take first in the Drivers’ Championship after winning Vodafone Rally De Portugal last month. Rovanperä now holds the largest points lead in the top five of the championship so far this season. As Rovanperä now leads Ott Tänak by 17 points heading into Rally Italia Sardegna. Tänak would move from fourth to second after finishing fourth at Vodafone Rally De Portugal last month. Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans who were tied for first heading into Rally Portugal have fallen to a tie for third. With both drivers having 69 points under their belts. Thierry Neuville rounds out the top five in the championship, sitting a mere point behind Ogier and Evans. Neuville’s teammate Esapekka Lappi sits sixth in the championship, 19 points behind Neuville. This gives Neuville a decent gap between him and sixth place, but this is rally and 19 points isn’t a lot. As one retirement from an event can make that 19-point gap turn into some amount of points behind. All of the drivers in the top five will be competing at Rally Italia Sardegna this weekend. 

Championship Points Heading Into Rally Italia Sardegna 

1. K. Rovanperä 98
2. O. Tänak 81
3. S. Ogier 69
4. E. Evans 69
5. T. Neuville 68
6. E. Lappi 49
7. D. Sordo 36
8. T. Katsuta 20
9. C. Breen 19
10. G. Greensmith 16

Teams Rundown

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team

The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team will have four cars competing this weekend. That list of drivers includes two World Champions in Kalle Rovanperä and Sebastien Ogier. Joining Rovanperä and Ogier will be Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta. Toyota will look to continue the success they’ve had so far this season this weekend. Toyota has won 4 out of 5 events so far this season. With Sebastien Ogier winning two of those and is so far the only driver to win more than one event this season. 

Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team

The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team will look to get back on track in the drivers’ championship. As the three Hyundai drivers sit fifth, sixth and seventh in the championship. With the team as a whole sitting second in the Manufacturers’ championship, 32 points behind Toyota. Hyundai is also the only team to not have a driver win an event so far this season. This isn’t much different from last season for Hyundai however. As last season Hyundai also hadn’t won an event before Rally Italia Sardegna. The team would take their first win of the season at the event last season. Unfortunately, there is one major difference for Hyundai between this season and last. The driver who won the event for Hyundai last season now drives for M-Sport and their name is Ott Tänak. Hopefully, this won’t make much of a difference for Hyundai and they can take their first win of the season this weekend. 

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team

The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team will come into this weekend sitting third in the manufacturers’ championship. The team sits 35 points behind the Hyundai crew. This may seem like a large gap, and it is, but it’s also impressive how close it is as they’ve only had one driver scoring substantial points this season. Ott Tänak will come into the event looking to take his second straight win at the Rally Italia Sardegna, and his second win of the season. Pierre-Louis Loubet will look to build off what would’ve been a strong Vodafone Rally De Portugal if he wasn’t forced to temporarily retire from the event. 

The following is from a WRC Press Release.

The FIA World Rally Championship has announced that Portugal will remain on the calendar through the 2025 season. The WRC has come to an agreement with Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP) to run Rally de Portugal on the WRC Calendar in 2024 with a further option to extend to 2025. Over 300,000 spectators attended the race this past weekend.

“The signing of this contract demonstrates the confidence that the WRC promoter has in the organization and is recognition of the effort we have made to organize one of the signature rallies on the World Championship calendar,” -Carlos Barbosa, President of the ACP.

Upon the signing WRC Promoter Managing Director Jona Siebel said: “This past weekend, we were once again reminded of the passion this region holds for rallying. We were greeted with loud fans, spectacular competitive stages and exceptional hospitality everywhere we went in the past four days.

“In the ACP we have a strong partner, and we now begin working on planning with them for 2024.”

For more information on our coverage of the Rally De Portugal check out the following links:

Rally de Portugal 2023 Coverage
Day 1 Recap
Day 2 Recap
Day 3 Recap

For more exclusive content check out WRC+

The third day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal has come to an end, marking the end of the event. Kalle Rovanperä would take home the event win. 

SS16, PAREDES

The sixteenth stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal and the first of the third day would see Takamoto Katsuta top the stage. Katsuta set a time 1.8 seconds faster than his Toyota teammate and Rally leader Kalle Rovanperä. Dani Sordo would finish with the third quickest time on the stage, with a time 0.5 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Sordo’s time. Esapekka Lappi would round out the top five on the stage, setting a time 5.7 seconds slower than Tänak. 

SS17, FAFE 1

Stage 17 would see Kalle Rovanperä back on top. With Rovanperä setting a time 0.2 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi who finished with the second fastest time. Ott Tänak would finish the stage with the third quickest time, 0.2 seconds slower than Lappi’s time. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Tänak’s time. Dani Sordo would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 0.2 seconds slower than Katsuta’s time. 

SS18, CABECEIRAS DE BASTO

Stage 18 saw Ott Tänak take the stage win. Tänak set a time 9.7 seconds faster than Dani Sordo who set the second-fastest time on the stage. Takamoto Katsuta set the third fastest time on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Sordo. WRC2 Driver Oliver Solberg would finish with the fourth quickest time on the stage. Solberg’s time would be 7.6 seconds slower than Katsuta’s. Esapekka Lappi would round out the top five on the stage, finishing with a time 0.9 seconds slower than Solberg. 

SS19, FAFE 2 (WOLF POWER STAGE)

Stage 19 would be the Powerstage meaning extra points are on the line. Kalle Rovanperä would take the Powerstage win and claim a perfect 30-point event. OTT Tänak would finish second on the stage with a time 0.7 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Esapekka Lappi would take third on the stage, finishing with a time 1.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta would finish the stage fourth, setting a time 0.4 seconds slower than Lappi. Dani Sordo would round out the top five on the stage, setting a time 3.8 seconds slower than Katsuta. 

Vodafone Rally De Portugal Day Two Recap
Vodafone Rally De Portugal Day One Recap

Vodafone Rally De Portugal Preview WRC1

The second day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal has passed. Kalle Rovanperä dominated during the day to maintain the lead.

SS9, VIEIRA DO MINHO 1

The ninth stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal and the first one of day two saw Kalle Rovanperä take the win. Setting a time 12.8 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi who set the second-fastest time on the stage. Dani Sordo set the third fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than this Hyundai teammate Esapekka Lappi. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than his Hyundai teammate Dani Sordo. Thierry Neuville’s former teammate Ott Tänak set the fifth fastest time on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Neuville. 

SS10, AMARANTE 1

Stage 10 would once again see Kalle Rovanperä take the stage win. Setting a time 3.3 seconds faster than Ott Tänak who set the second fastest time on the stage. Esapekka Lappi finished with the third fastest time, 5.7 seconds slower than the time of Tänak. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than the time of Lappi. The returning Takamoto Katsuta finished with the fifth fastest time on the stage, that time would be 8.2 seconds slower than Neuville’s however. 

SS11, FELGUEIRAS 1

The third stage of the day would see Kalle Rovanperä take his third consecutive stage win. Setting a time 5.7 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville who set the second fastest time. Dani Sordo set the third fastest time in the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than the time set by Neuville. Ott Tänak finished fourth in the stage, setting a time 1.2 seconds slower than Sordo’s. Esapekka Lappi set the fifth fastest time in the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than the time set by Tänak. 

SS12, VIEIRA DO MINHO 2

The twelfth stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal would once again see Kalle Rovanperä top the stage. With Rovanperä setting a time 2.8 seconds faster than Dani Sordo. Esapekka Lappi set the third quickest time in the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Sordo’s time. Thierry Neuville finished the stage with the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than Sordo’s time however. Ott Tänak set the fifth fastest time in the stage, 9.7 seconds slower than the time set by Neuville. 

SS13, AMARANTE 2

The fifth stage of the day would see Dani Sordo end Kalle Rovanperä’s stage win streak. Setting a time 0.7 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä who set the second fastest time. Thierry Neuville set the third fastest time on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Rovanperä’s time. Esapekka Lappi would finish with the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Neuville’s time. Takamoto Katsuta would round out the top five on the stage, setting a time 6.7 seconds slower than Lappi. 

SS14, FELGUEIRAS 2

Stage 14 would see Kalle Rovanperä back on top. With Rovanperä setting a time 2.4 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi, who finished with the second fastest time. Thierry Neuville would finish the stage with the third fastest time, that time would be 0.5 seconds slower than Lappi’s time however. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, with a time 1.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Dani Sordo would round out the top five on the stage. Setting a time 0.8 seconds slower than Tänak’s. 

SS15, LOUSADA (SSS)

Stage 15 would mark the final stage of the second day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal. Dani Sordo would end the day with a stage win, much like the first day. Sordo would set a time 0.2 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta who would finish second on the stage. Thierry Neuville set the third fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Katsuta. Esapekka Lappi would set the fourth quickest time on the stage, that time would be 0.1 seconds slower than Neuville’s. Ott Tänak would round out the top five on the stage, with a time 0.6 seconds slower than Lappi. 

Rovanperä Dominates 

Kalle Rovanperä would take 4 of the 6 stage wins on the second day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal. This would give Rovanperä a 57.5-second lead heading into the final day of the event. All Rovanperä has to do now is finish. If Rovanperä manages to take home the win he will take over the Drivers’ Championship lead. 

Vodafone Rally De Portugal Day One Recap

Vodafone Rally De Portugal Preview WRC1

The first day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä takes a 10.8-second lead into day two. 

SS1, LOUSÃ 1

Pierre Louis Loubet would take the first stage win of Vodafone Rally De Portugal and his first stage win of the season. Loubet would finish the stage 0.3 seconds faster than Dani Sordo. Loubet’s teammate Ott Tänak would finish third on the stage, 2 seconds behind Sordo. Kalle Rovanperä would finish fourth fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta would round off the top five on the first stage of the rally, finishing 0.8 seconds behind Rovanperä.

SS2, GÓIS 1

Ott Tänak would take the second stage win of the event, finishing the stage 2.5 seconds faster than Dani Sordo. Takamoto Katsuta would finish third fastest on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Sordo. Katsuta’s teammate Kalle Rovanperä would finish fourth fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than him. Pierre-Louis Loubet would finish fifth fastest on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Rovanperä and fall out of the lead. 

SS3, ARGANIL 1

Kalle Rovanperä would take the third stage win of the event and close the gap between himself and leader Ott Tänak to 3 seconds. Tänak would finish second fastest on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans would finish third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Tänak. Dani Sordo would be fourth fastest on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Evans. Sordo’s Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville would post the fifth fastest time on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than him. 

SS4, LOUSÃ 2

The fourth stage of the event would see Esapekka Lappi take the stage win, finishing 3 seconds faster than his Hyundai teammate Dani Sordo. Pierre-Louis Loubet would finish third fastest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Sordo. Kalle Rovanperä would be the fourth fastest on the stage, finishing 0.5 seconds slower than Loubet. Rovanperä’s fourth-place finish on the stage would move him from first to second overall, with Dani Sordo taking the rally lead. Thierry Neuville would finish fifth fastest on the stage, finishing 2.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä. 

SS5, GÓIS 2

Stage five would see Kalle Rovanperä take the win to regain the rally lead. Thierry Neuville set the second fastest time on the stage, that time would be 0.4 seconds slower than Rovanperä’s. Dani Sordo set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing 0.8 seconds slower than Neuville. Pierre-Louis Loubet set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing with a time 1.3 seconds slower than Sordo. Esapekka Lappi would round out the top five on the stage, setting a time 0.9 seconds slower than Loubet. 

SS6, ARGANIL 2

The sixth stage of day one of Vodafone Rally De Portugal would once again see Kalle Rovanperä on top. With Rovanperä setting a time 2.1 seconds faster than Dani Sordo, who placed second on the stage. Pierre-Louis Loubet set the third fastest time on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Sordo’s. Thierry Neuville would finish with the fourth fastest time on the stage, setting a time 1.1 seconds slower than Loubet. Neuville’s Hyundai teammate Esapekka Lappi would set the fifth fastest time on the stage, that time would be 1.9 seconds slower than Neuville’s however. 

SS7, MORTÁGUA

Esapekka Lappi took the win on the seventh stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal. Setting a time 0.4 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä on the stage. Ott Tänak would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, that time would be 4.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä’s. Tänak’s M-Sport teammate Pierre-Louis Loubet would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4 seconds slower than the time set by Tänak. Thierry Neuville would round out the top five on the stage, setting a time 2.8 seconds slower than Loubet. 

SS8, FIGUEIRA DA FOZ (SSS)

The final stage of Day One of Vodafone Rally De Portugal would see Dani Sordo on top. Sordo set a time 0.7 seconds faster than Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville. Tänak and Neuville would both tie for second on the stage. Pierre-Louis Loubet would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than the time set by Tänak and Neuville. Esapekka Lappi set the fifth fastest time on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Loubet’s time. 

Loubet Vs Neuville

Pierre-Louis Loubet would spend most of day one battling for third with Thierry Neuville. Loubet would end the day with just 0.9 seconds separating him from Neuville. Neuville will have to try his best to hold Loubet off if he wants to take home critical third-place points this weekend at Vodafone Rally De Portugal.

Trouble For Tänak

Ott Tänak would lead the rally heading into SS4. With just 3 seconds between him and Kalle Rovanperä. Unfortunately, a tire issue on SS4 would cost Tänak over a minute. Forcing him out of the lead and promoting Rovanperä to first. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only issue for Tänak as he also ran most of stage three with a broken water pump. This could’ve forced Tänak to retire if M-Sport didn’t get the issue fixed at the tire fitting zone between SS3 and SS4. 

Vodafone Rally De Portugal Preview WRC1

The 2023 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with round five, Vodafone Rally De Portugal. Below I will preview the WRC2 class drivers. 

Championship Rundown

Yohan Rossel currently leads the WRC2 Drivers’ Championship standings. Rossel currently sits 9 points above reigning WRC2 champion Emil Lindholm heading into Vodafone Rally De Portugal. Oliver Solberg sits third in the championship, a single point behind Lindholm. Nikolay Gryazin sits fourth in the championship, 5 points back from Solberg. Gus Greensmith rounds out the top five in the championship standings, sitting one point behind Gryazin heading into Vodafone Rally De Portugal. This weekend should be a fun one for the WRC2 class of drivers. As 4 out of the top 5 drivers will be at the event. There is also a chance Adrien Fourmaux who currently sits sixth could move into a top-five spot. As Fourmaux currently sits just 4 points behind his former M-Sport Ford teammate Gus Greensmith. 

To Honour Breen

Kris Meeke will return to the WRC this weekend. Meeke last competed in the WRC in 2019 with the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team. Meeke will drive a Hyundai i20 R5 this weekend. Craig Breen’s former co-driver James Fulton will join Meeke this weekend at Vodafone Rally De Portugal. Meeke and Fulton will look to honour their late friend Craig Breen. Since his last WRC appearance, Meeke has competed in Nitro RX, finishing ninth in the championship. Meeke would also help Skoda test the new Skoda Fabia Rally2 car. 

Mikkelsen Returns

Andreas Mikkelsen will make his WRC2 return this weekend at Vodafone Rally De Portugal. Mikkelsen will pilot a new Skoda Fabia R5 run by Toksport WRT 3. Mikkelsen would finish third in the WRC2 championship last season. 

Team Rundowns

Toksport World Rally Teams

Toksport will run three different teams this weekend. With Sam Pajari alone on the first Toksport World Rally Team this weekend. Nikolay Gryazin and Marco Bulacia are on the second Toksport World Rally Team. Andreas Mikkelsen and Gus Greensmith are on the third Toksport World Rally Team. Each team will qualify for WRC2 teams championships under their respective team numbers. Oliver Solberg will also be driving a Toksport run Skoda this weekend, but will not be racing for WRC2 teams points under any team. 

M-Sport Ford WRT

Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster will drive for M-Sport Ford this weekend. Both drivers will look to move up the WRC2 driver’s championship rankings and M-Sport Ford up the WRC2 teams’ standings or at least close the 5-point gap between them and Toksport WRT 2. 

Hyundai Motorsport N

Teemu Suninen and Fabrizio Zaldivar will both drive for Hyundai Motorsport N this weekend. Much like the M-Sport Ford crew, they will both look to move up the WRC2 drivers’ rankings and move Hyundai up the WRC2 teams standings. 

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