WRC | Rally Portugal, SS12: Tanak takes the lead. Katsuta slams

Over the years the Amarante special stage of the Portugal Rally has always played a very important role in the economy of the final result. This year too has presented several twists that have once again revolutionized the general classification of the fifth event of the 2024 WRC.

Ott Tanak won the SS12, Amarante 1 of 37.24 kilometres, beating Sébastien Ogier by 3″6. Considering that before the test the two were separated by 3″4 in favor of the Frenchman, we now have a new leader of the race.

The Estonian Hyundai Motorsport driver is at the top of the general classification with just 2 tenths of an advantage over the 8-time world champion who also this year defends the colors of Toyota Gazoo Racing part time.

Tanak and Ogier found themselves dueling for first place after Kalle Rovanpera’s retirement in the previous race due to an accident from which he and co-driver Jonne Halttunen escaped unharmed. Now they will have the opportunity to continue one-on-one on SS13, the last test of today’s morning lap, before the break and the Service which will allow the teams to prepare the cars for this afternoon’s lap.

Behind the first two, however, another important event took place, to say the least, especially for the purposes of the general classification of the Drivers’ World Championship. Takamoto Katsuta, during the Amarante, broke the right rear suspension of his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, forcing him to retire. This allowed Thierry Neuville to climb into the podium area. A fruitful morning for the World Championship leader not so much for his performances – modest in truth after the double mistake made on SS11 – but for having recovered 3 positions thanks to the overtaking of Dani Sordo and the double withdrawal of the Toyotas of Rovanpera and Katsuta.

Also gaining a position in the standings are Dani Sordo, fourth, Adrien Fourmaux – now fifth with the first Ford Puma Rally1 in the standings – Elfyn Evans and Gregoire Munster, however afflicted by major engine problems which forced him to stop a couple of times on the special stage to try to understand where they were generated from.

In WRC2 Yohan Rossel decided to push hard to shake off the pressure from Gus Greensmith and he seems to have succeeded. Thanks to a good performance, the Frenchman increased his advantage over his Skoda rival TokSport to 12″8. His teammate Nikolay Gryazin, however, was far behind, third but over 1 minute behind him.

WRC 2024 – Rally Portugal – Ranking after SS12