[WRC] Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2024

[Andre Oliveira]

https://scontent.fopo5-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/431342703_782892953727938_8661426079749475384_n.jp g?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=YTxV_lm-wMIAX88UlVr&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo5-2.fna&oh=03_AdTYQ1X2namjcQ1knPUdA2ni9aZOOiOaCsUI4Sc0Z9a1 hg&oe=66140E02

[CeskyOndra]

That looks difficult with Mortagua running twice

[Andre Oliveira]

Because the location, so they go and come to north easier.

[Loowri]

Anyone knows where can we see the maps? Should have come available 11th April.

[Eli]

All Toyota crews will compete in Portugal: https://x.com/tgr_wrc/status/1779842121995894817?s=61&t=6ZLBDYTwlSamYcW0Iki0kg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

All Toyota crews will compete in Portugal: https://x.com/tgr_wrc/status/1779842121995894817?s=61&t=6ZLBDYTwlSamYcW0Iki0kg

Maybe Toyota are trying to boost the number of Rally1 cars used in WRC to make the FIA accept them continuing until 2027... ;)

[Andre Oliveira]

So M-Sport too. It will be more than 2 according lastest rumours.

[CeskyOndra]

So M-Sport too. It will be more than 2 according lastest rumours.

Loeb? :----D

[rp]

Loeb? :----D

Hopefully! It would be great to see Loeb & Ogier battle for the win one more time :)

[CeskyOndra]

Hopefully! It would be great to see Loeb & Ogier battle for the win one more time :)

Im going to the Portugal first time this year! But Afraid that it is gonna be Serderidis once again..

[focus206]

Wasn't it already mentioned in this forum that Diogo Salvi will drive an extra Puma Rally1 in Portugal?

[Andre Oliveira]

Yes. That's one of the strongest "rumours".

Loeb will not be in Portugal afaik.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GLYnm9DWQAIoRrg?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GLYnm8-XYAAT8Kc?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GLYnm89WQAAfwbE?format=jpg&name=large

[CeskyOndra]

That is maybe the strongest start-list this year so far.. 9 competitive rally1 cars and lot of Rally2 with Loubet and Suninen comeback

[focus206]

So in the end no extra Puma Rally1...

[hari]

Gallery Pre Event Test WRC Rallye de Portugal 2024 - Martin Prokop: https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos_brr_test_240424.html

https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/1.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/2.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/3.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/4.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/6.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/7.jpg

[TWRC]

Gallery Pre Event Test WRC Rallye de Portugal 2024 - Martin Prokop: https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos_brr_test_240424.html

https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/1.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/2.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/3.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/4.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/6.jpghttps://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2024/brr240424/7.jpg
Good to see him back in a Skoda, his Octavia WRC days jumped to my mind immediately :D

[rp]

Gallery Pre Event Test WRC Rallye de Portugal 2024 - Martin Prokop: https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos_brr_test_240424.html


It is nowadays Prokop´s own car or still BRR?

[TypeR]

It is nowadays Prokop´s own car or still BRR?
Prokop's/MP-Sport's

[drive]

and finally, maps released https://rallydeportugal.pt/content.aspx?menuid=4449

[drive]

lucky we have proper online translate tools nowdays :)

[EstWRC]

so rallying week again and i have to say i think i am the most excited this season.

Ogier and Rovanperä in the mix, Sordo making his season debut. Will Tänak finally find his speed or will he struggle again, can Fourmaux and Neuville continue with their good season as they have so far.

In WRC2 we have a great list of drivers with Loubet and Suninen making their starts, also Meeke in there who was very fast in the final local event.

Bring it on!

[CeskyOndra]

so rallying week again and i have to say i think i am the most excited this season.

Ogier and Rovanperä in the mix, Sordo making his season debut. Will Tänak finally find his speed or will he struggle again, can Fourmaux and Neuville continue with their good season as they have so far.

In WRC2 we have a great list of drivers with Loubet and Suninen making their starts, also Meeke in there who was very fast in the final local event.

Bring it on!

It is gonna be hell of a battle, something is telling me that it won't be Kalle vs Seb, cuz it is too much obvious :D We are flying to Porto on tomorrow morning.

[Eli]

so rallying week again and i have to say i think i am the most excited this season.

Ogier and Rovanperä in the mix, Sordo making his season debut. Will Tänak finally find his speed or will he struggle again, can Fourmaux and Neuville continue with their good season as they have so far.

In WRC2 we have a great list of drivers with Loubet and Suninen making their starts, also Meeke in there who was very fast in the final local event.

Bring it on!

Do you think Ott has any chances of winning?

[Eli]

Something tells me a Toyota will be standing at that top step of the podium come Sunday, as they have in 2019, 2021, 2022 & 2023, hopefully I’m wrong.

[EstWRC]

Do you think Ott has any chances of winning?

Based on the speed so far in the season I would say no.

But we will see if he manages to find the sweet spot on gravel finally

[tonirali]

I'm very very curious to see how Kris fares against the regular WRC2 pack. He has been pretty much unmatched in the PT championship, so how I'm curious how that translates versus the more regular runners who weren't at Terras d'Aboboreira.

[Lead]

I'm very very curious to see how Kris fares against the regular WRC2 pack. He has been pretty much unmatched in the PT championship, so how I'm curious how that translates versus the more regular runners who weren't at Terras d'Aboboreira.

Does Meeke will have any tire advantage?

[er88]

I'm very very curious to see how Kris fares against the regular WRC2 pack. He has been pretty much unmatched in the PT championship, so how I'm curious how that translates versus the more regular runners who weren't at Terras d'Aboboreira.

Can't see the driver or especially the car matching the wrc2 pack for 3days straight. If he does then Hyundai need to get him onboard to ramp up their rally2 car development

[Andre Oliveira]

Does Meeke will have any tire advantage?

No. Same tyres. That's why it is obligation all 4WD run Pirelli in WRC events (bad in my POV).

[tonirali]

Can't see the driver or especially the car matching the wrc2 pack for 3days straight. If he does then Hyundai need to get him onboard to ramp up their rally2 car development

He was doing Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 testing as far as November 2023, but I have no idea if that's still ongoing.

[er88]

He was doing Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 testing as far as November 2023, but I have no idea if that's still ongoing.
Not sure either if it's still ongoing, not seen any 2024 test beyond maybe some pre Monte tests. Think with Solberg now more closely linked to Skoda, he will be the guy

[EstWRC]

Service park vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN9Ws5S1nhc

Recce vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gjHC5tlSzY

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Hyundai had lots of i20 Rally2 upgrades on the car for Rally Croatia so I expect Meeke will have these for Portugal.

https://motorsport.hyundai.com/debut-of-the-latest-i20-n-rally2-updates-at-rally-croatia/

[pedro16]

Hyundai had lots of i20 Rally2 upgrades on the car for Rally Croatia so I expect Meeke will have these for Portugal.

https://motorsport.hyundai.com/debut-of-the-latest-i20-n-rally2-updates-at-rally-croatia/

Engine upgrades were already on Meeke's car on the last rally

[CeskyOndra]

https://www.instagram.com/stories/thierryneuville/3363464342602928993?igsh=MXZ6aHZnZnFtMTR3MA==

Interesting comment fron Thierry, he said he wanted to win here. I dont know if it is possible from 1st on the road, but Kalle did it actually :D Btw, some forest stages are quite wet from Sunday's rain, so maybe the cleaning effect won't be that bad.

[JRodrigues]

On the service park, the cars from the late Joaquim Santos

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GNCVN5wXQAEumGU.jpg

[macebig]

Think they could have avoided the RS200. It's probably not the same car from 1986, but having a similar spec one doesn't really help the festive atmosphere.

[WRCStan]

Think they could have avoided the RS200. It's probably not the same car from 1986, but having a similar spec one doesn't really help the festive atmosphere.

If it makes people think what can happen then good.

["Username"]

WRC2 will be very mouthwatering. Very hard to predict the winner. Normal stances I would pick Suninen but he has the Hyundai shitbox... Toyota will also be a big question mark, but I think they will be fast like in Sweden. And finally there is good old Kris, who probably wants to prove something:rolleyes:

[CeskyOndra]

Bmo, Solberg, Greensmith and Pajari will be miles ahead the others

[salvadorpv]

WRC2 will be very mouthwatering. Very hard to predict the winner. Normal stances I would pick Suninen but he has the Hyundai shitbox... Toyota will also be a big question mark, but I think they will be fast like in Sweden. And finally there is good old Kris, who probably wants to prove something:rolleyes:

Don't forger the very hard and long fist day, without middle service park. Any little issue, and go home.

[denkimi]

I suspect meeke to lead the RC2 untill he crashes out.

[EstWRC]

Suninen livery https://x.com/teemusuninenrac/status/1788273952080421339?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

[EstWRC]

Shakedown link https://www.youtube.com/live/qBnyJSMkaf0?si=-AvZ-J17OZMqzEw8

One hour left

[EstWRC]

Oh boy. Neuville killed a dog I think

Just Ran over it but nothing he could do

[CeskyOndra]

Zero dust on Shakedown. Not a lot of cleaning so far

[CeskyOndra]

With more cars trough, cleaning is way worse

[EstWRC]

There is definitely cleaning. Look at first pass times of Gus and Solberg.

[spyros]

where is Meeke?

[meh]

A bit surprised that Sordo shows that good pace.

[PLuto]

where is Meeke?

Still in service

[EstWRC]

Not surprised about Sordos speed. He had a test and a local event before this.

Also he was second last year here

[Fast Eddie WRC]

where is Meeke?

He's done a run now, as has Suninen. Both a few secs behind the leading WRC2 times.

[Managarium]

Who is scoring points for Toyota this weekend?

[EstWRC]

Ogier, Kalle and Evans

[er88]

WRC2 will be very mouthwatering. Very hard to predict the winner. Normal stances I would pick Suninen but he has the Hyundai shitbox... Toyota will also be a big question mark, but I think they will be fast like in Sweden. And finally there is good old Kris, who probably wants to prove something:rolleyes:


https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/meeke-downplays-odds-of-wrc2-portugal-victory/

Meeke doesn't think he will fight for victory.

I personally hope Suninen has a great rally (if the car can be competitive and reliable, big ask). Was treated harshly by Hyundai and Andreas is hardly showing he's any improvement.

[EstWRC]

World Rally Championship drivers expect Portugal to provide a "tight battle" for victory in what could be the most competitive round of the season.

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/wrc-drivers-expect-portugal-to-deliver-most-competitive-victory-fight/10608787/

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240509/81e3a638c7dbbd464e159661e7a7c5ba.jpg

[EstWRC]

I hadn’t realized or thought about this at all until Estonian commentator just said that out of 4 rallies so far 3 have been won by part time drivers

Thierry the only full time driver who has taken the win

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Awww Sami hit the concrete block !

[TypeR]

Crashing on a flat parking lot.. duh

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Careful Solberg still faster than Gus !

[RS]

Gus was good to watch. He’s a proper driver even if he will never be an Ogier.

[EstWRC]

wtf is this stage

Why aren’t we seeing Lousada stage

[Fast Eddie WRC]

wtf is this stage

Why aren’t we seeing Lousada stage

It's on Saturday night.

[TypeR]

Should have let drivers use SD tyres or smth for this funny stage..
But no, same tyres till tomorrow luncj and proper swrvice till tomorrow evening

[er88]

Why does the WRC make such gormless decisions?! Just give them 4 free/extra tyres for a stage like this, so they can be a bit more exuberant for the casual fans in the city.

[EstWRC]

Tänaks tires looked really good but he took also the most care of them I would say

[CeskyOndra]

Thierry already 4,3s faster than Elfyn, this might be 1 tomorrow's stage difference

[focus206]

I think the biggest question is, as usual per gravel rallies, will the Hyundais hold together? Long day with no service tomorrow...

[EstWRC]

Meeke third on the stage. 1.1 seconds to Rossel

[PLuto]

Meeke third on the stage. 1.1 seconds to Rossel

This is not so important. This stage is only not to make a mistake and not to destroy the tyres. We will see tomorrow on proper stages.

[CeskyOndra]

This is not so important. This stage is only not to make a mistake and not to destroy the tyres. We will see tomorrow on proper stages.

Not important, but nice to see that he has still the ability to drive fast

[Tauri_J]

I hadn’t realized or thought about this at all until Estonian commentator just said that out of 4 rallies so far 3 have been won by part time drivers

Thierry the only full time driver who has taken the win

Thats an interesting point but I dont have any problem with that.

[CeskyOndra]

We are in the mid of the Mortagua stage right now, road is wet, no dust

[TypeR]

We are in the mid of the Mortagua stage right now, road is wet, no dust
lucky Thierry then

[CeskyOndra]

It is really difficult to tell how the stage will be evolving..

[Rallyper]

Morning guys.
New rally, new excitement!
Man, so many spectators on SS2.
And Mads Ostberg in company with Becs. Good.

[EstWRC]

Stage seems even damp in some places. Lucky Thierry

[EstWRC]

Tänak can’t even match Neuville on gravel while starting on better staring position

Where has the speed gone this season?

[jonkka]

Tänak can’t even match Neuville on gravel while starting on better staring position

Where has the speed gone this season?

So far nobody has been as fast as Thierry so it must be road conditions and/or tyre choice. Normally later runners would be progressively faster.

[Rallyper]

Tänak can’t even match Neuville on gravel while starting on better staring position

Where has the speed gone this season?

Wait and see. There´s quite a lot of stages to go...

[EstWRC]

Thierry is just mega this year. Nothing to say

Yes the conditions may have played the part here but still


And same old whining from Tänak

[jonkka]

Katsuta being the first driver to be faster than Neuville on any split, -0,3 faster on split 6.

[jonkka]

And 1,2 sec faster at the finish.

[Tauri_J]

Weird times honestly

[EstWRC]

Part time drivers struggling with the pace right away it seems

But yes. The times are also weird

[Tauri_J]

Well at least Sordo is slow as expected

[Rallyper]

It´s a tyre game then...

[Sergiow]

Stage seems even damp in some places. Lucky Thierry

I would call that not lucky but that opening position from Thierry Neuville has been fought very hard

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240510/96d7325288b374faa48b5a21f3b99b50.jpg


Seems this stage quite often works the other way around then

[EstWRC]

I would call that not lucky but that opening position from Thierry Neuville has been fought very hard

Lucky in the sense that it isn’t bone dry and dusty like it usually is

[JRodrigues]

Already time penalties for Greensmith and Pajari. Gus had a false start (!!!) and Sami 2min late to time control.

[denkimi]

poor performance by munster so far, beaten by rc2 cars.

[JRodrigues]

Pepe Lopez rolled and is in the middle of the road. cars can still get by, but they need to remove the car quickly.

[AndersX]

Stage seems even damp in some places. Lucky Thierry

Championship success building luck! Again - all these arrows of fate are pointing to TN as WDC 2024. He deserves it!

[Sergiow]

Lucky in the sense that it isn’t bone dry and dusty like it usually is

Ogier is on the same tyres as Neuville but as we hear at the stop from Ogier it is mainly about confidence

[Sergiow]

Already time penalties for Greensmith and Pajari. Gus had a false start (!!!) and Sami 2min late to time control.

I am wondering if Pajari has fixed his damaged car from yesterday in the road section to stage two, as he had to check straight into parc fermé after the opening superspecial finish and there’s no service until the end of Friday.

[Eli]

Tänak can’t even match Neuville on gravel while starting on better staring position

Where has the speed gone this season?

To the Yaris he left behind in 2019.
Yes I know, it’s a broken record but imho there’s no other explanation that at the back of his mind, he’s kicking himself and it affects him in one way or another.

[EstWRC]

Stage delayed for 14 minutes cause of Yamamoto crash on previous stage

[Tauri_J]

Stage delayed for 14 minutes cause of Yamamoto crash on previous stage

What happened there

[eib1]

https://scontent-cdg4-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/442379032_1940302136388264_1159609050046617153_n.j pg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=Lgm_tcuz5WoQ7kNvgGA0TFb&_nc_ht=scontent-cdg4-3.xx&oh=03_Q7cD1QGvcAA1GPpGccjhR-SkrAKKRtKBHXOanbJxzp0T2Be6pA&oe=666559B5

[Rallyper]

https://scontent-cdg4-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/442379032_1940302136388264_1159609050046617153_n.j pg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=Lgm_tcuz5WoQ7kNvgGA0TFb&_nc_ht=scontent-cdg4-3.xx&oh=03_Q7cD1QGvcAA1GPpGccjhR-SkrAKKRtKBHXOanbJxzp0T2Be6pA&oe=666559B5

Ooouuschhh! End of rally for him.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

More like it from Tanak !

[EstWRC]

Great middle part of the stage from Tänak but the end is bad. Lost to 1.3 to Evans and even 0.2 to Neuville

[Rallyest]

Great middle part of the stage from Tänak but the end is bad. Lost to 1.3 to Evans and even 0.2 to Neuville


I dont know what it is but i have noticed this trend from him since last year, great start and middle but looses alot again at the end.

Agressive driving and cooks his tires maybe idk?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

At least the part-time drivers aren't making big gains with their road position.

[EstWRC]

And kalle took 1.5 seconds back

Very very bad ending from Tänak

[EstWRC]

I dont know what it is but i have noticed this trend from him since last year, great start and middle but looses alot again at the end.

Agressive driving and cooks his tires maybe idk?

He is one of the best with the tires. Remember chile last year?

It’s something else. I have noticed it also previous years with Hyundai. Don’t remember it much from last year with ford

[CeskyOndra]

Neuville will loose a lot in the next 2 stages

[denkimi]

He is one of the best with the tires. Remember chile last year?

It’s something else. I have noticed it also previous years with Hyundai. Don’t remember it much from last year with ford
One of the best besides ogier, rovanpera and neuville.

[JAM]

Neuville will loose a lot in the next 2 stages

At least for now he and Evans couldn't complain because theu lost only a pair of seconds. I feared it could have been more.

[EstWRC]

One of the best besides ogier, rovanpera and neuville.

lol Rovanperä? Don’t remember by heart which rallies exactly but remember many times when has even said himself he has to learn how to preserve the tires more.

I would say he is the next after Ogier. Last years Sweden and whole rally Chile are great examples of Tänaks tire preserving

Amazing ending from Sordo!

[jonkka]

At least for now he and Evans couldn't complain because theu lost only a pair of seconds. I feared it could have been more.

There are two more stages to go before repeat and temperatures are rising all the time. I fear that both will lose more.

[Eli]

Is the next stage also delayed? (Since this one was delayed).

[jonkka]

Is the next stage also delayed? (Since this one was delayed).

Yes, delays usually compound unless there is regroup between stages.

[er88]

What are they going to do with wrc2 times for ss2?

[EstWRC]

I hope Fourmaux didn’t cook his tires now…

[er88]

Loubet fastest wrc2 through ss2, Meeke 2.5 back but 6secs faster than Suninen

[JRodrigues]

Rally2 is being just as good (even better?) than Rally1. On SS3, top 12 in less than 10s.

[EstWRC]

Very very small gaps like the drivers predicted. This is great

[archie106]

Josh McErlean just 0.1 seconds off the WRC2 stage win in SS3, faster than Toksport team mates Solberg and Greensmith - impressive job.

[denkimi]

It seems like the notional times on SS2 will have fucked a lot of people's rally.

[PLuto]

What are they going to do with wrc2 times for ss2?

Giving notional times?

[archie106]

Hopefully those notional times can be re-evaluated according to the pace of each individual crew across the other stages in the loop - should make things fairer. Does anybody know if that approach has been taken before in any other rallies?

[PLuto]

Hopefully those notional times can be re-evaluated according to the pace of each individual crew across the other stages in the loop - should make things fairer. Does anybody know if that approach has been taken before in any other rallies?

Yes, they can change the notional times liter. But personally I dont like this so much - whole day you are fighting with rivals for every second and at the end of the day, from the table, they change times (and order). On the other hand it is bad that notional times were given on SS 2, so there was no comparison with previous stages.

Update: There is also this sentence in CoC notification - These times are subject to being revised after the running of SS 9

[TypeR]

Basically zero timeloss for Neuville first on the road.

Evans totally lost.. is it because of Kalle and Ogier both driving or smth else.. that way he can't beat Neuville..

[philippebugalski]

Basically zero timeloss for Neuville first on the road.

So far fantastic morning from Thierry, only the first one in the morning was litlle wet and damp so turned into his favour.
Later ones adjusted to classic sweeping being first but minimalizing time loss.
Evans not so confident for the morning loop.

No punctures in R1 yet?

[Rallyper]

Neuville will loose a lot in the next 2 stages

Doesn´t look like that... ;)

[jonkka]

Doesn´t look like that... ;)

Wait until later runners have come through, comparison to Evans is pointless.

Having said that, Neuville who usually starts rallies like grandmom is driving unusually well this time.

[EstWRC]

What a morning from Neuville.

Hats off. He is the best driver at the moment imo

[jonkka]

Does Ogier have intercom problem as co-driver is using gestures?

[djip]

The day has finally come : Fourmaux is mixing it up with the big boys, without any road advantage. Welcome to the party !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

A great start to a rally for Neuville at last... and opening the road !

Still a long way to go go for him and the Hyundai until Saturday night points though.

[EstWRC]

A great start to a rally for Neuville at last... and opening the road !

Still a long way to go go for him and the Hyundai until Saturday night points though.

A really great morning!

Just look at Evans for comparison who is starting behind him and is 17.5 seconds from the lead

But two previous years have shown us that it’s possible to win this rally from the front. Kalle from second last year and the year before he won starting first

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The day has finally come : Fourmaux is mixing it up with the big boys, without any road advantage. Welcome to the party !

'To be fair' ;) he's only ahead of a badly struggling Evans and his team-mate.

[Sergiow]

A great start to a rally for Neuville at last... and opening the road !

Still a long way to go go for him and the Hyundai until Saturday night points though.

The first goal at the end of today will be the starting positions for tomorrow. Looks very bleak for Evans as things stand now.

[jonkka]

Gotta love the desperate attempt by wrc.com commentators to put positive spin on things:

"Munster completes the morning loop, bringing his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 to the stop control. A decent morning for the Luxembourger."

A decent morning? He's slowest Rally1 car by far, over minute behind closest one after just five stages (out of which one was SSS). That's a borderline disaster.

[Sergiow]

Gotta love the desperate attempt by wrc.com commentators to put positive spin on things:

"Munster completes the morning loop, bringing his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 to the stop control. A decent morning for the Luxembourger."

A decent morning? He's slowest Rally1 car by far, over minute behind closest one after just five stages (out of which one was SSS). That's a borderline disaster.

My guess is that all other Rally1 drivers have multiple Rally Portugal drives under their belt. That is not the case with Munster. Not easy task to learn the stages with a modern Rally1 car, so I am with the commentators to put a positive spin around it ;)

[jonkka]

Not easy task to learn the stages with a modern Rally1 car

That must be so very true. But the question Munster and his backers should ask themselves is whether he should learn the car somewhere else other than in very public limelight of an WRC event where he is not making any favours to his reputation for being that slow? After all, it's his career at stake and such a programme must cost awful lot of money.

[er88]

Giving notional times?
But the notional times are a disgrace

[focus206]

What a morning from Neuville.

Hats off. He is the best driver at the moment imo

He is performing the best so far in this season, but I feel Evans is doing what he should - don't make big mistakes, wait for Hyundai to fail in one rally or another.
Long way to go in this rally, let's see.

[Backa]

Gotta love the desperate attempt by wrc.com commentators to put positive spin on things:

"Munster completes the morning loop, bringing his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 to the stop control. A decent morning for the Luxembourger."

A decent morning? He's slowest Rally1 car by far, over minute behind closest one after just five stages (out of which one was SSS). That's a borderline disaster.

With 8-9 Rally1 cars per rally, things are desperate enough for commentators to not judge participating drivers too harshly.

[trykmann]

That must be so very true. But the question Munster and his backers should ask themselves is whether he should learn the car somewhere else other than in very public limelight of an WRC event where he is not making any favours to his reputation for being that slow? After all, it's his career at stake and such a programme must cost awful lot of money.

As a developing driver I think it is good to compare yourself to the best in the field. In national rallies you get valuable seat time, but you have to drive against someone.

[WRCStan]

That must be so very true. But the question Munster and his backers should ask themselves is whether he should learn the car somewhere else other than in very public limelight of an WRC event where he is not making any favours to his reputation for being that slow? After all, it's his career at stake and such a programme must cost awful lot of money.

:rolleyes:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

'Decent' is a fair description of Munster's first loop in that he made no mistakes while learning the Rally1 car on gravel and this rally.

[eib1]

https://img.24live.co/event/3576885290676250940/20240510124737_405529.jpeg

[eib1]

Suninen

https://scontent-cdg4-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/440441355_833798565258691_1396933955815821032_n.jp g?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=9URSHH-AW8kQ7kNvgH-cRQx&_nc_ht=scontent-cdg4-3.xx&oh=03_Q7cD1QG9Z2fVva8LOFTE2cCntnAZ5VUA2rqjWkSDlQmq v-vkZw&oe=666594EE

[EstWRC]

Suninen off

https://x.com/ewrcresults/status/1788911181459013748?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Delay continuing from this morning ?

[EstWRC]

Yes, 15 minutes added to all of the stage start times

[EstWRC]

Tänak: Getting used to the car is difficult. I drive very differently than I would really like to. Very hard. But some other things are not so bad. I'm trying hard, but in the end it's difficult to get a very good package together," Tänak admitted to RallyTV.

Can anything be changed? "Exactly the same situation was in the pre-rally test. I probably just have to get used to it and compensate elsewhere. I'm trying to be more efficient

[denkimi]

https://img.24live.co/event/3576885290676250940/20240510124737_405529.jpeg
Ogier already gambling.
I suppose it's not going like he had hoped before the start.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier already gambling.
I suppose it's not going like he had hoped before the start.

He also said the car felt sluggish this morning so carrying one spare may help.

[EstWRC]

Interesting comment from Tänak again:”the guys forgot to do the changes”

[Tauri_J]

Ogier killing it with one spare

[TypeR]

Interesting comment from Tänak again:”the guys forgot to do the changes”
Happens if u are not nr 1 driver :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ironic Toyota 1-2-3 but their Championship driver is nowhere!

[denkimi]

Ogier killing it with one spare
Lets see if he can make his tyres last to the end. No changing for him.

[Tauri_J]

Interesting comment from Tänak again:”the guys forgot to do the changes”

Theres always something wrong with Tänak or with his car.

[EstWRC]

Top6 separated by 7 seconds!


All these little margins are so crucial for tomorrow starting position

[TypeR]

Ironic Toyota 1-2-3 but their Championship driver is nowhere!
They only care about manu title..

[JAM]

Rally2 is being just as good (even better?) than Rally1. On SS3, top 12 in less than 10s.

I have some dificult to understand this kind of comments.

At lunch break there are 9,1s between the top6 Rally1 cars, and 10,9s between top3 Rally2 cars.

Do i need to say more?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

They only care about manu title..

'Only' is an exaggeration, they will want to win both.

It's ironic that their leading driver is struggling so much when the other three are at the top.

[CeskyOndra]

Top6 separated by 7 seconds!


All these little margins are so crucial for tomorrow starting position

That surely won't stay like that for long. I think there will be some drama this afternoon

[jonkka]

That surely won't stay like that for long. I think there will be some drama this afternoon

Like Evans' co-driver reading notes from mobile phone instead of notebook?

[er88]

'Only' is an exaggeration, they will want to win both.

It's ironic that their leading driver is struggling so much when the other three are at the top.

Road position. Just because Neuville is doing a heroic job, doesn't mean cleaning shouldn't be taken into account. Surely nobody expected Evans to be close to Ogier and Kalle. The bigger surprise for me is Taka on pace with multiple championship winning team mates

[becher]

lol Rovanperä? Don’t remember by heart which rallies exactly but remember many times when has even said himself he has to learn how to preserve the tires more.

I would say he is the next after Ogier. Last years Sweden and whole rally Chile are great examples of Tänaks tire preserving

Amazing ending from Sordo!

According to a source at either M Sport or Toyota (can't remember which tbh) Evans tyres were heavier after than Ogiers after use, which indicates that Evans is up there. Ogier is also very aggressive which is hardly easy on the tyres.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nightmare rally continues for Evans.

[er88]

Problem for Evans, cant turn the car

[erikli2]

Why is Scott reading from his phone? Did they lose the note book?

[JRodrigues]

Why is Scott reading from his phone? Did they lose the note book?

Left his notes on previous stage's time control.

Puncture right front.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Road position. Just because Neuville is doing a heroic job, doesn't mean cleaning shouldn't be taken into account. Surely nobody expected Evans to be close to Ogier and Kalle. The bigger surprise for me is Taka on pace with multiple championship winning team mates


Elfyn Evans @ElfynEvans

It’s not been a great morning as we’ve struggled with the feeling and balance on most of the stages, especially harder base roads.

[EstWRC]

Second stage in a row Tänak is losing 2 seconds to Toyotas with the downhill section.

Those seconds are so crucial for tomorrows starting position

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rovanpera really unhappy with the car and tyre wear... but he still leads.

[CeskyOndra]

Evers second is so so important now

[meh]

Sordo jumps into the car and "car works like part of my body"

[EstWRC]

Tänak: Getting used to the car is difficult. I drive very differently than I would really like to. Very hard. But some other things are not so bad. I'm trying hard, but in the end it's difficult to get a very good package together," Tänak admitted to RallyTV.

Can anything be changed? "Exactly the same situation was in the pre-rally test. I probably just have to get used to it and compensate elsewhere. I'm trying to be more efficient

Coming back to this. This is exactly what I was afraid before the season that without him and Lappi and Neuville matching last year with the set-up and working together, it has moved even more further to Tänaks liking

[Tauri_J]

I think its just silly. Every time he steps into a new car he complains. Great drivers have to adapt to the car not the other way around.

[meh]

It may be interpreted as whining, also as just admitting, that has not found a comfortable setup for his style. From his attitude for me, it's the second, but there is a thin line and it's understandable if for others it feels different.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Evers second is so so important now

Sordo to allow Neuville past for another place down tomorrow's road order ?

["Username"]

Tänak has become the Ricciardo of WRC.

[JRodrigues]

Neuvile slower than 1st pass on this stage.

[Backa]

Tänak has become the Ricciardo of WRC.

More like Alonso, was champion but not as many times as someone could expect and has history of team changes that didn't work out.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier without hybrid costing him crucial time after gaining it with 5 tyre strategy.

[EstWRC]

More like Alonso, was champion but not as many times as someone could expect and has history of team changes that didn't work out.

This!!!!

Both exactly the same

[EstWRC]

Two guys who are complaining not having the feeling and driving not like they want, Kalle and Ott are the fastest

[meh]

Two guys who are complaining not having the feeling and driving not like they want, Kalle and Ott are the fastest

Champs, who knows, what they can do and what is possible.

[J4MIE]

More like Alonso, was champion but not as many times as someone could expect and has history of team changes that didn't work out.

But only one of them moans constantly. And it isn’t Alsonso.

[dimviii]

Loubet rolled at ss 7

[Backa]

But only one of them moans constantly. And it isn’t Alsonso.

Are we talking about same Alonso? Fantastic driver but he LOVES moaning about stuff.

[EstWRC]

But only one of them moans constantly. And it isn’t Alsonso.

Just at the last Grand Prix Alonso moaned that the FIA isn’t handling the penalty situations fairly and are preferring some nations

[TypeR]

Just at the last Grand Prix Alonso moaned that the FIA isn’t handling the penalty situations fairly and are preferring some nations

And it has also been exactly same in WRC with certain nation driver :D

Both F1 and WRC drivers are muuuuultiple WDC's :)

[jonkka]

Kind reminder - there is separate F1 forum, this is for WRC. Thank you.

[Tauri_J]

Dont think I have ever seen someone put softs at front and hards at back

[becher]

Just at the last Grand Prix Alonso moaned that the FIA isn’t handling the penalty situations fairly and are preferring some nations
Which has absolutely nothing to do with his performance in the car. Tänak is complaining about the car not being to his liking, Alonso usually gets in and drives it as fast as possible no matter what. In that sense Alonso us more like Loeb.

[EstWRC]

Ogier pushing to get head of Tänak!

[J4MIE]

Glad to see Scott uses my technique of having PDFs of the pacenotes on phone…..
Not the first to do it and won’t be the last. He’ll get a bit of a ribbing but others have left time cards etc behind at various controls.

[TypeR]

Kind reminder - there is separate F1 forum, this is for WRC. Thank you.
We are watching proper gravel rally and we are having gaps smaller than in F1..

[EstWRC]

What a time by Ogier and something has happened with Kalle

E: nothing has happened. Splits were wrong

[jonkka]

What a time by Ogier and something has happened with Kalle

That seems to have been a glitch. Kalle's splits are now OK

[er88]

Mega from Seb. Hopefully we can have a great battle tomorrow and Ogier doesn't just pull away

[jonkka]

And Sordo is driving slow, is it to drop behind Neuville?

[meh]

And Sordo is driving slow, is it to drop behind Neuville?

or just a tire-ware issue

[er88]

And Sordo is driving slow, is it to drop behind Neuville?

Won't be long until Abiteboul makes Tanak support Neuville

[jonkka]

Won't be long until Abiteboul makes Tanak support Neuville

First they need to see whether Tanak can challenge Toyota, Hyundai desperately needs to stop 1-2-3 for their arch rival.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Won't be long until Abiteboul makes Tanak support Neuville

Much too soon yet. They didnt even slow Sordo to drop behind Neuville.

[TypeR]

Sordo ahead of Neuville with 0.2.
1min late to TC, 10sec penalty and all good,still stsys ahead of Fourmaux

[EstWRC]

Sordo ahead of Neuville with 0.2.
1min late to TC, 10sec penalty and all good,still stsys ahead of Fourmaux

Does that count? Aren’t the positions locked now after the last stage ?

[meh]

For me, the biggest surprise maybe is Taka. And for sure, hats off for Ogier.

It's also nice, that all Rally1 cars finished the day and top4 is just in 5.4sec.

[jonkka]

Does that count? Aren’t the positions locked now after the last stage ?

That is correct, "Any penalties incurred after the end of this last special stage (excluding super special stages) will be ignored". (WRC Regulations art 41.2. comment 2)

[flat_right]

To those who say that Tänak is whining I think we are watching a different sport. The times are not there where he would like them to be and he just says that he is trying but is not able to do more. Basically the car is not suiting somehow his natural driving style. So what should he say then? Or rather how should he say it that you would all be satisfied?

[CeskyOndra]

Looking forward to see Tanak vs Neuville time comparison with not a huge difference in road position.

[meh]

To those who say that Tänak is whining I think we are watching a different sport. The times are not there where he would like them to be and he just says that he is trying but is not able to do more. Basically the car is not suiting somehow his natural driving style. So what should he say then? Or rather how should he say it that you would all be satisfied?

Many Rovanperä'st stage end comments also contained descriptions, that "he can not do more with this car" and that he is not happy with the car. Whining?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

To those who say that Tänak is whining I think we are watching a different sport. The times are not there where he would like them to be and he just says that he is trying but is not able to do more. Basically the car is not suiting somehow his natural driving style. So what should he say then? Or rather how should he say it that you would all be satisfied?

The problem with Tanak is that this has gone on rally after rally, year after year, ever since he left Toyota.

[EstWRC]

What happened with Meeke after the lunch? Very bad stage times with huge losses

[focus206]

Good day by Neuville for being 1st on the road, but 13-18 seconds are still a lot to reel back with speed alone from drivers like Ogier, Rovanpera and Tanak. Sordo shouldn't be a problem (I guess he was just slow in the final stage, no team orders), Katsuta shouldn't either but he was unusually fast today. All of this barring Hyundai problems.
Evans seems a bit lost, even without the puncture. Maybe bad setup or some gremlins?

[CeskyOndra]

Good day by Neuville for being 1st on the road, but 13-18 seconds are still a lot to reel back with speed alone from drivers like Ogier, Rovanpera and Tanak. Sordo shouldn't be a problem (I guess he was just slow in the final stage, no team orders), Katsuta shouldn't either but he was unusually fast today. All of this barring Hyundai problems.
Evans seems a bit lost, even without the puncture. Maybe bad setup or some gremlins?

I do expect Kalle to pull away from Ogi tomorrow, while Katsuta will bin it and Ott's gonna be third, fourth Thierry

[dimviii]

Good day by Neuville for being 1st on the road, but 13-18 seconds are still a lot to reel back with speed alone from drivers like Ogier, Rovanpera and Tanak

dont forget we have the big ss at Saturday (Amarante 37km ) x 2 times.

[CeskyOndra]

What happened with Meeke after the lunch? Very bad stage times with huge losses

Maybe just caring about Portuguese champ. where he had a good advantage?

[TypeR]

What happened with Meeke after the lunch? Very bad stage times with huge losses
Maybe taking it easy enough to close the victory of Portugese national event(ended with SS9).
Hopefully from tomorrow we will some top3 times from him! Too bad he won't be on AllLive and stage end interviews..

[mknight]

The problem with Tanak is that this has gone on rally after rally, year after year, ever since he left Toyota.

Tanak was complaining about car not being perfect even when he had 40s lead after first day in Toyota.

[sidrun]

Is there already tyres choices to know?

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240511/2ecad5927c6b90ebae995982fe3b8500.jpg

[Rallyper]

Mawnin´ guys.

[TypeR]

Fourmaux's tyre choice seems like he is going for a good time on Amarante..

[EstWRC]

Great stage from Tänak so far but still seems quite unhappy

[Tauri_J]

Kalle destroying everyone

[meh]

Booom. Rovanperä did the warmup yesterday and today back to "normal".

[EstWRC]

This was expected. He will run away today and Ogier , Tänak and Taka deciding the other podium places

[CeskyOndra]

Will Neuville run over Taka? Lets see. I think something will hapen infront

[EstWRC]

WRC2 guys coming faster than Munster….i know he is cleaning and etc but IMO the guy has gone backwards this season compared to last years outings

[meh]

Will Neuville run over Taka? Lets see. I think something will hapen infront

It would not be a surprise. Taka has made a really good start to the rally and job so far, but if 3 champs around him + the most likely new champ level up their game and fine-tune the setup, then he probably needs to take too many risks to keep up the pace.

[CeskyOndra]

I know that this year isnt that rough as previous years, but cmon, It is portugal, something must happen. Only Evans had a puncture

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville already passed Sordo and complained about his road position. Sordo should've let him past last night.

[TypeR]

SS10 McErlean fastest WRC2 by 0.9sec

E: yes, not fastest.

Pajari came later and 1.2s faster.

[meh]

SS10 McErlean fastest WRC2 by 0.9sec

Pajari is the fastest at the moment, some more guys to come. For McErlean it's for sure a good stage, beating Solberg, Greensmith, and Rossel.

[meh]

Evans with slow (5.8sec down on Munster) split.. some new trouble?

Edit: from replay, nose to ditch and spin.

[meh]

Probably some story to tell for Neuville as well, losing 4-5sec to Fourmaux from split1 to split 2.

edit 1: from replay, slid to the bank and stalled.

edit 2: seems some damage to the front and tire off the rim.

[archie106]

Only 1 spare tyre for Neuville this loop, will need to be careful in the next one.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I know that this year isnt that rough as previous years, but cmon, It is portugal, something must happen. Only Evans had a puncture

Here you go.

[meh]

Taka did exactly like Evans, don't want to take gifts from Neuville.

[meh]

Rovanperä off, crash into the trees, car on side.

Solberg probably got attention ruined and crash right after Rovanperä's place.

Spot on comment from Mike Chen: in 100m leaders from Rally1 and Rally2 are out.

[Eli]

Damn, there goes my pickems, Ogier on for win no.6 in Portugal?

[Dontcut]

Kalle destroying everyone

And himself

[TypeR]

Solberg also off 100m later.. Rovanperä's crash disturbed him..?

[Eli]

Solberg also off 100m later.. Rovanperä's crash disturbed him..?

Probably distracted him.

[EstWRC]

That’s what happens when the pace is so high although unlikely mistake from Kalle

[archie106]

WRC and WRC2 leaders rolling in successive corners, wow.