WRC drivers call for improved Pirelli rubber after Portugal punctures

Tyre issues became a talking point after a particularly brutal Friday as the new-for-2022 Rally1 cars contested a gravel rally for the first time.Pirelli debuted a new hard and soft gravel tyre at the event, which featured reinforced structures and a design optimised for the increased torque and the heavier Rally1 cars, which weigh in 70kg more than...

14h

How the WRC celebrated its milestone in style

Round up a bunch of the world’s greatest rally drivers from the past 50 years in a room and you are set for an unforgettable evening. That’s exactly what happened for the World Rally Championship’s 50th anniversary season celebrations at Rally Portugal last weekend.The WRC went to significant lengths to celebrate its milestone, organising a special...

19h

WRC Portugal: The Good, The Bad and the emergence of a future legend

Top Performer - Kalle Rovanpera and Jonne HalttunenKalle Rovanpera was described as a "miracle kid" after pulling off an against the odds win in Croatia last month, and now he's being likened to the WRC's all-time greats Sebastien Ogier and Sebastien Loeb. That is the level Rovanpera is operating at currently.At only 21-years-old the Finn has five WRC...

1d

Loeb discussing more WRC 2022 outings with M-Sport

The nine-time world champion made to the return to the championship this year after striking a one-off deal with M-Sport that resulted in the Frenchman scoring  a his 80th career win in Monte Carlo in January.Loeb rejoined the Ford squad last weekend for another outing at Rally Portugal that ultimately ended in disappointment after crashing out of the...

1d

Ogier confirmed for Safari WRC return with Toyota

The eight-time world champion was widely expected to contest the famous Kenya gravel event, with confirmation of his entry arriving following last weekend's difficult run at Rally Portugal.Ogier has been contesting a partial WRC campaign this season alongside a full World Endurance Championship programme with LMP2 squad Richard Mille Racing.This programme...

2d

Latvala: Rovanpera's Portugal WRC win reminiscent of a dominant Ogier

Rovanpera produced a masterclass display on Portugal's tricky gravel stages to claim a fifth career WRC win and his third consecutive triumph following success on snow in Sweden and Croatia's tarmac stages.Expectations of victory were tempered heading into Portugal given the Finn faced the tough task of opening the dusty gravel roads on Friday virtue...

2d

WRC Portugal: Rovanpera beats Evans to take third consecutive win

The Toyota driver clinched the first gravel rally of the new Rally1 hybrid era by 15.2 seconds after seeing off a brief challenge from teammate Elfyn Evans.Rovanpera sealed the victory in style by winning the final powerstage on the weekend where the WRC celebrated its 50th season. Hyundai's Dani Sordo claimed the final podium position, following an...

3d

WRC Portugal: Rovanpera extends lead to close in on victory

The Finn took two stages wins from the four morning tests, held in the fog and rain, to transform a 5.7s overnight margin over Evans to a 9s advantage ahead of this afternoon’s final stage.The battle for third is also yet to be decided with Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta ending the morning 2.2s ahead of the chasing Hyundai of Dani Sordo. The two sister Hyundais...

3d

Rovanpera shocked to be leading WRC Rally Portugal

The World Rally Championship leader will head into Sunday’s five stages with a 5.7-second advantage after overhauling Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans across Saturday afternoon’s rain-affected four tests.Facing the task of being first to tackle Portugal’s tricky dusty roads heading into the first gravel rally of the season, expectations to be leading the...

4d

WRC Portugal: Rovanpera charges into lead as wet weather hits

Points leader Rovanpera rattled off two stage wins from the four afternoon tests to transform a 18.4-second deficit into a 5.7s margin over Evans heading into Sunday’s final five stages.Rovanpera started the day 13.6s behind with Evans growing that advantage after winning two of the three morning stages.But Rovanpera steadily began to nibble away at...

4d