Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä had crashed out from the lead on the previous stage, and Amarante brought another setback for Toyota. Takamoto Katsuta had to park his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 by the side of the stage.
Reportedly, Katsuta’s car suffered damage to the rear suspension. Consequently, the Japanese driver had to retire from the stage.
Katsuta was running third in the gravel event before his troubles. This situation suited the WRC leader Thierry Neuville perfectly, as the Belgian now moves up to third and is in contention for a larger points haul. The first provisional points of the event will be awarded based on Saturday evening’s results.
There were also changes at the front of the rally as Hyundai’s Ott Tänak set a stunning fastest time on the 37-kilometre Amarante stage. Tänak overtook Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier by 0.2 seconds in the overall standings.
“Like I said; I try all I can. I guess that’s the way it is. Just try to maximize,” Tänak summarised.
“Game on, for sure,” said Ogier, who dropped to second.
Hyundai’s Dani Sordo is now fourth, followed by M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux and Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
Rally de Portugal continues on Saturday with six more special stages. The event concludes on Sunday.
Rally de Portugal standings after SS12/22:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | 2:00:33.9 |
| 2. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +0.2 |
| 3. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +42.6 |
| 4. | Dani Sordo | Hyundai | +44.9 |
| 5. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +1:10.1 |
| 6. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +2:27.4 |
| 7. | Yohan Rossel | Citroen | +5:28.6 |
| 8. | Gus Greensmith | Skoda | +5:41.4 |
| 9. | Nikolay Gryazin | Citroen | +6:38.0 |
| 10. | Josh McErlean | Skoda | +6:38.6 |
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)
