Rally de Portugal was fraught with drama throughout the weekend, but Ogier managed to avoid any extra problems with his Toyota. Ultimately, Ogier claimed victory with a margin of 7.9 seconds over Hyundai’s Ott Tänak.
Competing in only part of this season’s rallies, Ogier has consistently brought valuable points to Toyota in the manufacturers’ championship. He was the winner in Croatia and finished second in the season opener at Monte Carlo.
However, Ogier did not secure the largest points haul of the weekend. The Frenchman earned 25 points, while second-placed Tänak took 26 points. Tänak was the top performer on Super Sunday, earning seven points, and he also finished second on the Power Stage.
Aside from Ogier’s success, Toyota faced numerous challenges over the weekend. The team’s other part-time driver, Kalle Rovanperä, and Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta both retired from the gravel rally on Saturday, though they resumed on Sunday. Elfyn Evans, currently second in the championship standings, was notably off-pace in Portugal, ultimately finishing sixth.
“It was a tough weekend. Definitely not what we expected. We lost important points for the team,” Rovanperä summed up, having gained only five points.
Hyundai didn’t manage a victory in Portugal this year either, but the team did collect a substantial number of points for the manufacturers’ championship. In addition to Tänak, Thierry Neuville, who leads the drivers’ championship, climbed onto the podium in third place, finishing just over a minute behind the winner.
Neuville extended his lead in the championship over Evans. The Belgian now holds a twenty four-point advantage over his closest challenger. In the manufacturers’ World Championship, Hyundai moved ahead of Toyota to take the lead.
M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux finished fourth in the competition, ahead of Hyundai’s Dani Sordo. M-Sport’s Gregoire Munster retired from the rally on Sunday.
Spanish driver Jan Solans brought Toyota’s new Rally2 car its first victory in the WRC2 class. Solans secured his win in a tight battle against Skoda driver Joshua McErlean by just 3.2 seconds. Finnish driver Lauri Joona claimed the third spot, finishing just under two minutes behind the winner.
The next round of the WRC season will take place at the end of May and beginning of June in Sardinia.
Rally de Portugal results after SS22/22:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | 3:41:32.3 |
| 2. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +7.9 |
| 3. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +1:09.8 |
| 4. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +1:47.8 |
| 5. | Dani Sordo | Hyundai | +2:48.9 |
| 6. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +6:36.0 |
| 7. | Nikolay Gryazin | Citroen | +11:48.4 |
| 8. | Jan Solans | Toyota | +11:52.9 |
| 9. | Joshua McErlean | Skoda | +11:56.1 |
| 10. | Lauri Joona | Skoda | +13:40.3 |
Sunday’s results after SS4/4:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | 39:32.5 |
| 2. | Thierry Neuville | Toyota | +2.4 |
| 3. | Sebastien Ogier | Hyundai | +4.0 |
| 4. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +18.9 |
| 5. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +33.4 |
| 6. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +1:16.4 |
| 7. | Dani Sordo | Hyundai | +1:27.3 |
Rally de Portugal itinerary (CET):
Thursday, 9th May 09:01 Shakedown: Baltar (4.61 km) 20:05 SS1: Figueira da Foz (2.94 km) Friday, 10th May 09:05 SS2: Mortágua 1 (18.15 km) 10:35 SS3: Lousã 1 (12.28 km) 11:35 SS4: Góis 1 (14.30 km) 12:35 SS5: Arganil 1 (18.72 km) 15:05 SS6: Lousã 2 (12.28 km) 16:05 SS7: Góis 2 (14.30 km) 17:05 SS8: Arganil 2 (18.72 km) 18:35 SS9: Mortágua 2 (18.15 km) Saturday, 11th May 09:05 SS10: Felgueiras 1 (8.81 km) 10:05 SS11: Montim 1 (8.69 km) 11:10 SS12: Amarante 1 (37.24 km) 12:35 SS13: Paredes 1 (16.09 km) 15:35 SS14: Felgueiras 2 (8.81 km) 16:35 SS15: Montim 2 (8.69 km) 17:40 SS16: Amarante 2 (37.24 km) 19:05 SS17: Paredes 2 (16.09 km) 20:05 SS18: Lousada (3.36 km) Sunday, 12th May 08:05 SS19: Cabeceiras de Basto 1 (19.91 km) 09:35 SS20: Fafe 1 (11.18 km) 10:32 SS21: Cabeceiras de Basto 2 (19.91 km) 13:15 SS22: Fafe 2 (11.18 km)
