Junior WRC title race narrows following dramatic Portugal outing
The 2026 Junior WRC season has entered its mid-season break with the championship battle significantly tightened. While Calle Carlberg continues to hold the lead, consecutive victories for Ali Türkkan have brought the Turkish driver within two points of the Swede. The series, which utilizes identical Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo cars, has seen a volatile opening three rounds across Sweden, Croatia, and Portugal.
Carlberg established early momentum with a dominant performance at the season opener in Sweden, bolstered by a significant haul of stage-win bonus points. However, the dynamics shifted in Croatia as Türkkan secured his first win of the year. The situation reached a critical point at Rally de Portugal, where a late-rally accident forced Carlberg to retire while leading, allowing Türkkan to capitalize and secure his second straight victory.
Despite the setback, Carlberg remains at the top of the standings with 76 points to Türkkan's 74. Gil Membrado holds third place, maintaining consistent results, while the field prepares for the final two rounds. With Rally Finland and the double-points finale in Chile still to come, the championship remains wide open, with stage-win bonuses playing a pivotal role in the narrow point margins.
