This weekend marks the start of the traditional gravel rally season welcoming the strongest Rally1 field of the season to date, comprising five previous Portugal winners.
Toyota has elected to field both its part-time drivers in the same event for the first time, with reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time Portugal winner (2022, 2023), alongside Sebastien Ogier, who has triumphed on an event record-equalling five occasions (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017).
The team’s title hopeful Elfyn Evans stood on the top step of the podium in 2021, while Hyundai championship rivals Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak tasted victory in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
To add to the mix is Hyundai’s third driver Dani Sordo, who has seven Portugal podiums under his belt, ahead of his first start of the season.
Road position is often vital in Portugal due to the road-sweeping effect of the dusty gravel stages. Starting seventh and fifth on the road respectively, Rovanpera and Ogier have emerged among the early favourites.
Rovanpera is already expecting a closely fought battle for victory and is relishing the prospect of starting lower down the order.
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: Toyota Racing
“I have a feeling that this rally is going to be a really tight battle for the win, so let’s see but I’m sure it is going to be a tough one,” Rovanpera told Motorsport.com.
“It is nice to be in the mix and finally after a few years, we have a good starting road position so it will be crucial to use it well. It is always nice when you have a good battle. You need to come out of on top to feel good, but that is my job.”
For Ogier, this will be his first gravel rally since the Acropolis last September and the eight-time world champion believes there will be “no time to adapt”.
“Of course, myself, Kalle and Takamoto [Katsuta] have very good starting positions and the plan is to make as many points as we can,” Ogier told Motorsport.com. “We have seen recently that points differences are difficult to make up so every time you can have the strongest line-up you can it is good to take it.
“I would not necessarily focus on Kalle right now but there is a high probability that he will be the man to beat starting from the back.
“From my side, I hope to be able to compete too even if I have had a bit of a longer break since my last gravel rally. I have to be as sharp as I can early on in the…
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