This year’s edition of Rally Portugal will see an impressive 95 crews take the start. The Rally1 class will feature 12 entries, while the Rally2 category will field a staggering 55 crews.
It will be the largest entry list seen so far this season.
As previously reported, gentleman driver Diogo Salvi, 55, will also be competing at Rally Portugal in an M-Sport Rally1 car. It marks the first time since 2012 that a Portuguese driver will contest their home WRC round in a top-class car.
Portugal’s entry list easily outshines that of any other event so far this season. For example, Rallye Monte-Carlo in January had 70 crews, and the recent Rally Islas Canarias also had 70 entries.
Toyota will field its full lineup again in Portugal, with Sébastien Ogier joining the team for the legendary event. Alongside the French champion, Toyota’s Rally1 cars will be driven by Kalle Rovanperä – fresh from his first win of the season in the Canaries – as well as championship leader Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, and Sami Pajari.
Hyundai, looking to strike back after a disappointing performance in the Canaries, will bring its usual trio: Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, and Adrien Fourmaux.
M-Sport Ford has strengthened its lineup. In addition to Diogo Salvi, their drivers will include regulars Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean, along with Latvian rising star Mārtiņš Sesks, who last competed at Rally Sweden.
Adding extra intrigue to the event, former WRC stars Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo will compete in the national series section. Meeke will drive a Toyota Rally2 car, while Sordo will be behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20 N.
Rally Portugal will take place from 15 to 18 May, featuring a total of 24 special stages. The competitive distance will cover 344.5 kilometres.
