WRC Preview: 2026 Rally de Portugal
- Olivia Kairu
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
The punishing gravel stages of the Rally de Portugal 2026 set the scene for the next round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). From the smooth, high-grip asphalt of Rally Islas Canarias, we pivot to the grand gravel amphitheatre that demands endurance and restraint from drivers. Before we head into this weekend, let’s take a step back.
Sébastien Ogier returned to the top step for the first time in 2026 with a victory in the Canary Islands. The nine-time champion leapt from sixth to lead a remarkable Toyota 1-2-3-4, underlining the team’s dominance on pure asphalt.
“The Toyotas are having great pace compared to the others, and there is still some little room for improvement, so we are playing with small details to find the sweet spot,” said Ogier.
“We have quite a strong line-up, and there are five drivers with the top car, which means the competition is tough. If you relax a little bit, straight away you can be in P5, so that is why we all try our best.”
However, the bigger championship story came from Elfyn Evans. Finishing second, the Welsh driver collected additional points to move him back into the championship lead.
Behind them, rising star Sami Pajari secured another podium, while Takamoto Katsuta continued his consistent run inside the top four. Toyota’s strength was overwhelming, locking out the top four positions and extending the manufacturer’s advantage significantly.
“The feeling is not what I was hoping for – the driving doesn’t feel so natural or flowing. Maybe the grip was simply low in the morning due to the lower temperatures, but overall it just didn’t feel so great,” said Pajari.“It comes down to very small details. And those are exactly what makes the difference, because the gaps on the stages are so small.
"In a rally like this, even a small lack of confidence costs time immediately, and it is very difficult to gain that back. So we need to find a solution.”
For Oliver Solberg, the rally proved tough. Having pushed Ogier to the limit all weekend, a late crash ended his victory hopes, costing him valuable championship points.
On to Portugal, the rally shifts from a streak of asphalt and tarmac onto loose gravel stages, known to be punishing on tyres and suspension. Drivers will face a vastly different rhythm running on the Hankook Dynapro R213 gravel tyre.
The championship is only heating up as Toyota arrives in Portugal, with overwhelming momentum after Rally Islas Canarias. While the Toyota Gazoo Racing squad has strength in depth, rivals will see Portugal as their best chance yet to halt the streak.
The intra-team fight is intensifying. Evans may lead the standings, but Katsuta and Pajari have both shown race-winning pace in 2026. Portugal could ignite a full-scale internal battle. For Hyundai, it’s a weekend to return to the forefront. Spain marked a difficult outing, with Adrien Fourmaux the top finisher in fifth.
Few drivers arrive with more to prove than Solberg. Portugal will be the ultimate test of the ability to balance pace with consistency, a key step in any championship campaign, defining the second half of the 2026 season.
Friday opens with seven stages centred around Mortágua, setting the tone for the weekend. Saturday, the rally’s longest leg, features nine stages, including two demanding loops of Amarante and Paredes, before the event concludes with a short Sunday shootout at the Wolf Power Stage.
Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
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