The fourth round of the WRC season was held last weekend in Croatia, but the teams have been busy this week as well. The next event will take place in just two weeks in Portugal.
Teams have been vigorously testing their equipment this week in preparation for the gravel event. Hyundai and M-Sport are conducting their tests in Portugal, while Toyota drivers are simultaneously preparing in Sardinia for both the Rally de Portugal and Rally Italia Sardegna.
WRC leader Thierry Neuville was on testing duty for Hyundai on Wednesday. Neuville’s test was not kept secret from local rally fans, as the Belgian drive the i20 N Rally1 car in front of numerous spectators.
Watch the video of Neuville’s test below.
Meanwhile, M-Sport’s Gregoire Munster was on testing duty with the Ford Puma Rally1 car in the same region. However, the Luxembourger’s test did not attract as many fans to the side of the gravel road as Neuville’s preparation did.
Watch the video of Munster’s test below.
On the island of Sardinia, Elfyn Evans took the helm of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 car on Wednesday. Toyota has resorted to the same strategy as last year, where drivers make adjustments for two different rallies on the same day. This allows the team to save on the limited number of test days available during the season.
Watch the video of Evans’s test below.
The teams’ testing will continue throughout this week. Dani Sordo, who is starting his WRC season at the Rally de Portugal, will have exceptionally good preparation as he is set to drive in a round of the Portuguese Rally Championship as a test this coming weekend
The Rally de Portugal is scheduled for May 9-12.
