Oliver Solberg takes early lead at Rally de Portugal

Oliver Solberg claimed the overall lead at Rally de Portugal after setting the pace on the second stage of the event. Driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing, Solberg moved to the front of the field following the long Sever - Albergaria test, maintaining his advantage through the evening super special at Figueira da Foz to finish the day 3.4 seconds clear of Adrien Fourmaux.

Sébastien Ogier sits in third place, 7.2 seconds off the lead, after an initial struggle with his car’s balance during the opening stage. Thierry Neuville follows closely in fourth, just two-tenths of a second behind Ogier, despite a minor spin on the final test of the day. Elfyn Evans rounds out the top five, managing the disadvantage of running first on the road across the loose gravel.

Following the opening loop, the competitors face a demanding Friday schedule featuring repeated runs through the Mortágua, Arganil, and Lousã stages. With no overnight service permitted after the opening day, drivers were forced to prioritize car preservation over outright pace to ensure their machines remained intact for the remainder of the event.