The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team is gearing up for the Rally de Portugal, which takes place from May 9 to 12. With a strong line-up of four crews, the team aims to continue its successful run on the popular gravel event.
Star Drivers
For the first time this season, the team will have both of its world-champion drivers competing. Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier, winners of the last two rounds in Kenya and Croatia respectively, will lead the charge. Rovanperä is eyeing a third consecutive victory in Portugal, while Ogier, a five-time winner of the event, shares the record for the most victories with Markku Alén.
Elfyn Evans and Past Success
Elfyn Evans, another key driver for the team, has a strong track record in Portugal. His victory in 2021 contributed to TGR-WRT’s four consecutive wins at the event since 2019. Currently just six points behind the championship leader, Evans aims to maintain his consistency with three podium finishes from four events.
Gravel Challenges
Portugal marks the start of seven consecutive rallies on gravel. The event is based in the northern part of the country around Porto, with the service park located in nearby Matosinhos. The stages are fast but technical, featuring a surface that starts soft and sandy but often becomes rocky and rutted during the second pass.
Rally Route
The rally route follows a familiar pattern, starting around the historic city of Coimbra. Competitive action kicks off on Thursday night with the Figueira da Foz super special. Friday includes additional stage kilometres, with the Mortágua test run at both the start and end of the day. Arganil hosts four stages driven twice, including a mid-day tire fitting zone.
Saturday is the longest day, covering 90 competitive miles. A repeated loop of four stages in the Cabreira mountains to the northeast of Porto includes the returning Montim and Amarante stages, with the latter being the longest of the season so far at 23 miles. An evening super special stage at the Lousada rallycross circuit adds excitement. Sunday features two passes of Cabeceiras de Basto and the famous Fafe, serving as the rally-ending Power Stage.
GR Yaris Rally2 in WRC2
The GR Yaris Rally2 will also make a strong showing in WRC2, with eight examples entered – the largest number on any rally so far in its debut season. Drivers like Sami Pajari, Georg Linnamäe, Roope Korhonen, and Jan Solans will compete alongside the TGR WRC Challenge Program duo of Yuki Yamamoto and Hikaru Kogure. Additionally, Australia’s Lewis Bates (Neal Bates Motorsport) and Frenchman Jean-Michel Raoux (ERACE WRT) will make their debuts in the car.
Team Expectations
Jari-Matti Latvala, Team Principal, expressed excitement about having all four drivers together in Portugal. With the new points system, making a difference in the manufacturers’ championship has been challenging, but the team remains optimistic. Kalle Rovanperä’s past success, Seb Ogier’s experience, and Elfyn Evans’ consistency position the team well. Takamoto Katsuta, another strong contender, adds to the team’s high expectations.
As the Rally de Portugal unfolds, fans can expect fierce competition and thrilling action on the gravel stages. Stay tuned for updates as the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team aims for victory!
