WRC heads to classic gravel stages for Rally de Portugal
The 2026 World Rally Championship season enters a critical phase this week as teams descend on Matosinhos for Rally de Portugal. The event covers 23 stages and 344.91 competitive kilometers, featuring iconic tests like Fafe and Arganil. Drivers will encounter challenging conditions, ranging from loose, sandy gravel to deep ruts and rock-strewn second passes.
Toyota Gazoo Racing currently holds the top three spots in the standings with Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, and Sami Pajari, though their early road positions may prove disadvantageous on the loose surface. Sébastien Ogier, the event's most successful driver with seven career wins, returns to the entry list as a significant threat. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motorsport aims to recover from a difficult showing on the asphalt of the Canary Islands, relying on the experience of Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo to challenge for the win.
Competition begins with a Wednesday shakedown, followed by the first three competitive stages on Thursday afternoon. M-Sport Ford continues to develop its young lineup, featuring Josh McErlean, Jon Armstrong, and Mārtiņš Sesks, all looking to translate previous experience into a strong result on the classic Portuguese gravel.
