The team confirmed after the penultimate special stage that Fourmaux would not continue. According to the official statement, the reason for the retirement was an issue related to engine overheating.
Before retiring, Fourmaux was seventh in the Super Sunday standings but trailed the leader by over half a minute. It would have been extremely difficult for the Frenchman to fight his way back into the Sunday points.
Fourmaux had started the rally strongly and was in the thick of the fight for victory alongside teammate Ott Tänak. However, he had to retire on Friday after his car broke down on SS8. From that point on, Fourmaux’s task was reduced to simply enjoying the local beer with spectators.
Only one stage remains in Rally Portugal, which will conclude – as tradition dictates – with the legendary Fafe Power Stage.
Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier leads the overall standings by 13.6 seconds over Hyundai’s Ott Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä is in third place, 15.1 seconds off the lead.
In the Super Sunday standings, Tänak is currently on top. The Estonian has pulled out a 10-second gap over Rovanperä in the battle for Sunday points.
