Carlberg maintains Junior WRC lead following dramatic Saturday in Portugal

Norbert Maior Carlberg successfully navigated a turbulent Saturday at Rally Portugal to retain his lead in the Junior WRC standings. While Ali Türkkan initially surged ahead by winning the morning stages, Carlberg maintained a composed pace as the gravel tracks deteriorated, eventually reclaiming the top spot on the Paredes 1 test.

Carlberg’s position was solidified during the afternoon loop when Türkkan suffered a critical electrical issue that forced a mid-stage restart. This setback dropped Türkkan back to third, allowing Raul Membrado to move into the runner-up position. Membrado concluded the day strongly by sweeping the final three stages, narrowing the gap to the leader to 39.6 seconds.

Behind the top three, Kerem Kazaz holds fourth place, followed by Leevi Lassila in fifth. The day proved difficult for other competitors, with Raul Hernandez losing time due to a puncture and a roll, while Craig Rahill faced delays following an early excursion. Crews now prepare for Sunday’s final stages, which conclude with the Wolf Power Stage on the iconic Fafe road.