Ali Türkkan secures second consecutive Junior WRC victory in Portugal

Ali Türkkan claimed his second straight Junior WRC victory at Rally de Portugal following a final-day attrition battle. Despite falling out of immediate contention on Saturday due to electrical failures and a spin, the Turkish driver capitalised on chaotic conditions as his rivals faltered on Sunday. He crossed the finish line 3min 31.6sec ahead of runner-up Leevi Lassila.

The rally lead shifted dramatically during the final stages as leader Calle Carlberg rolled his car out of the event, and Kerem Kazaz was forced to retire due to a fuel issue. Gil Membrado, who had been in the hunt for the win, suffered heavy vehicle damage following a collision, allowing Türkkan to inherit the lead and maintain his composure through the treacherous closing stages.

Lassila secured his first career podium by focusing on survival in the mud, while Membrado managed to limp home to take third place. Following the result, Carlberg remains at the top of the championship standings with 76 points, holding a narrow two-point advantage over the surging Türkkan. The Junior WRC season continues at Rally Finland this summer.