Why returning to the WRC podium was so important for Oliver Solberg
A return to the World Rally Championship podium for the first time since January was a relief after a mentally challenging Rally Portugal, according to Oliver Solberg. Finishing second in Portugal last weekend was a much-needed result for the Toyota driver’s title aspirations after suffering a mechanical issue in Kenya and costly crashes in Croatia […]
Dani Sordo questions “stupid” WRC tyre rules amid compound mix up
Dani Sordo called for changes to the regulations after labelling the rules that forced World Rally Championship crews to select tyres 13 hours before they needed to be used as “stupid”. WRC crews in Portugal had to make tyre choices for Friday morning’s opening loop immediately after Thursday evening’s stage three, which concluded at 7pm. […]
Thierry Neuville inherits lead as Sebastien Ogier suffers penultimate stage puncture
Thierry Neuville inherited the Rally Portugal lead with one stage remaining after World Rally Championship title holder Sebastien Ogier suffered a puncture on the penultimate stage. Ogier headed into stage 22 seemingly on course to score an eighth career Rally Portugal victory, equipped with a 17.3s lead over Neuville. The nine-time world champion had managed […]
Thierry Neuville ends Hyundai’s victory drought
Thierry Neuville emerged from the final day drama to win Rally Portugal and claim his and Hyundai’s first win of the 2026 World Rally Championship season. The 2024 world champion was firmly in the victory battle throughout the 23 gravel stages, but appeared set to finish second until Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier suffered a right rear […]
How Sebastien Ogier’s near-perfect Rally Portugal unravelled in one puncture
Sébastien Ogier admitted it was “hard to accept” losing a likely World Rally Championship victory in Portugal after running “out of luck” with a penultimate stage puncture. The nine-time world champion produced a wet weather masterclass in treacherous conditions on Saturday to take a 21.9s lead into Sunday’s final four stages, and was seemingly on […]
What a «payback» WRC victory means to Thierry Neuville and Hyundai
Thierry Neuville says victory in Portugal was personal ”revenge” for letting Hyundai down after a final stage mistake in Croatia cost the team a first World Rally Championship win of 2026. This weekend the 2024 world champion found himself in a similar position to that of a month ago in Croatia, leading into the final […]
Sebastien Ogier storms back into lead as Oliver Solberg’s charge unravels
Reigning world rally champion Sébastien Ogier delivered a wet weather masterclass as the Toyota driver reclaimed the Rally Portugal lead after Oliver Solberg lost ground to a puncture and spin. The nine-time world champion once again outlined his class in tricky conditions to end Saturday’s mammoth 145 kilometre leg with a 21.9s lead over […]
WRC Rally Portugal organisers fined for stage security breach
Rally Portugal organisers have been issued a suspended €15,000 fine and a reprimand following a security breach that resulted in two unauthorised vehicles entering a live stage of the World Rally Championship event. Friday’s second pass through the famous Arganil test (stage seven) was halted after two separate incidents where unauthorised vehicles had entered the […]
Oliver Solberg stunningly jumps to first in the rain
Oliver Solberg snatched the lead at Rally Portugal after delivering a stunning time in wet conditions on the final stage of the morning loop, to climb from fourth to first. Solberg faced an 18.6s margin to rally leader Sebastien Ogier heading into stage 14, which was hit by rain. The Toyota driver produced an incredible […]