May 19, 2025 – Porto, Portugal
Portugal once again delivered what fans love most about the WRC—breathtaking scenery, fierce competition, and iconic moments. The final day of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2025 brought with it a classic showdown between Toyota Gazoo Racing and Hyundai Motorsport, culminating in a masterclass drive from Sébastien Ogier, who secured his record-extending seventh Portugal victory.
The Beauty and Energy of Rally Portugal
From the rolling hills of Fafe to the rugged gravel paths of Lousã, the Portuguese landscape was a spectacle in itself. Fans turned out in massive numbers—waving flags, braving the dust, and cheering passionately at every corner. The vibrant atmosphere elevated the rally to a festival of motorsport, with the roar of engines echoing through valleys and across ancient bridges.
Race Recap – Drama at Every Turn
The weekend began with Elfyn Evans leading on Day 1, a promising start for the Welshman in his championship push. Adrien Fourmaux then lit up the stages for Hyundai, but disaster struck when he hit a rock and damaged his suspension, forcing an early retirement.
The baton passed to Ott Tänak, who stormed into the lead with a stellar Saturday drive. But on the final day, misfortune returned. A power steering failure saw the Hyundai star slip from contention just as Sébastien Ogier seized control, showcasing cool-headed race management and unshakable precision.
Sunday brought back the fireworks, with Tänak mounting a powerful fight in the Super Sunday stages, earning valuable points and challenging Kalle Rovanperä for second place.
Ott Tänak: “A great, great disappointment. We are far too fragile still to compete with the Toyotas, but at least the performance of the new chassis is good.”
Despite the setback, Tänak and Thierry Neuville pushed hard to break up Toyota’s potential 1-2-3 finish. Kalle Rovanperä secured third, but Neuville’s pressure ensured Hyundai denied Toyota a podium lockout.
Sébastien Ogier:
“I think it’s something I can be proud of—the way I’ve managed to stay competitive after all these years. Thanks to the team, it was great to drive this weekend. Ott was just flying, maybe a bit too much! But on our side, race management is definitely a craft we have. Seven times here in Portugal… not too bad.”
Final Podium – Rally Portugal 2025
- Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Gazoo Racing)
- Ott Tänak (Hyundai Motorsport)
- Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota Gazoo Racing)
Updated Championship Standings – After Rally Portugal
- Elfyn Evans – 118 points
- Kalle Rovanperä – 88 points
- Sébastien Ogier – 86 points
With three Toyotas in the championship top three, the momentum is clearly with the Japanese marque. However, with Rally Italia Sardegna on the horizon, all eyes are on Hyundai and M-Sport Ford to respond.
Will Toyota’s dominance hold, or is a shake-up brewing on the Italian gravel?
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