The 2025 edition of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal is off to a thrilling start! After 11 special stages and around 150 competitive kilometres, the top two drivers are separated by just 7 seconds, and the top 5 by only 32.7 seconds. Ott Tänak (Hyundai) emerged as the hero of the day, challenging Toyota’s dominance from earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Pedro Almeida (Škoda) claimed a breakthrough performance, finishing as the top Portuguese driver and best in the Portuguese Rally Championship (CPR).
With seven stage wins out of eleven, Hyundai showed impressive form on day one. Tänak seized the lead from the very first stage and held off Toyota’s charge all the way to Matosinhos. Remarkably, his fastest time on the final stage marked the 400th stage win of his WRC career.
“It was a tough leg, especially on the second passes. I didn’t always find the best rhythm, but the last two stages went well,” said Tänak.
Sébastien Ogier, who took two stage wins, sits second overall, just seven seconds behind.
“It was a tricky day. I saved my soft tyres for tomorrow — hopefully that was the right call,” said the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT driver.
Toyota teammates Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanperä follow closely behind, with Rovanperä managing to stay ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), who lost crucial time in the morning loop due to a spin.
“It was hard to get good times. The stages were really slippery. I’m happy we got the speed back and felt more comfortable in the car in the afternoon,” said Neuville.
Elfyn Evans, current WRC championship leader, had the tough job of opening the road — a role that cost him time in the loose gravel.
“It was a tough and frustrating day. We hoped to be in a better position, but we got through it. Let’s hope tomorrow goes better.”
Sami Pajari (Toyota) held off the Ford Pumas of Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean to retain seventh place.
Meanwhile, Martinš Sesks (M-Sport Ford) had to stop 3.8 km into the opening stage to change a front-left tyre after hitting a rock. The delay cost the Latvian over three and a half minutes, effectively ending his chances of a strong result.
A major talking point was the retirement of Adrien Fourmaux, who had taken two stage wins in the morning and was just 0.2 seconds behind the lead before spinning and damaging his suspension on the second pass through Arganil. He was forced to retire for the rest of the day.
WRC2: Total domination by Oliver Solberg
In WRC2, Oliver Solberg dominated in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, finishing the day inside the overall top 10. He leads the category by 53.5 seconds over Gus Greensmith (Škoda), after Yohan Rossel (Citroën) suffered a puncture on the final stage and dropped to third.
Pedro Almeida shines in Portuguese Rally Championship
The opening leg of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal also counted towards the Portuguese Rally Championship (CPR) and ended with Pedro Almeida (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) taking victory after a dramatic twist at the end of the day.
Kris Meeke (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) was initially the fastest over the 11 stages, but suffered a suspension failure on the liaison to parc fermé at Exponor and was forced to retire. His misfortune handed Almeida his first career win in the national championship, finishing 2.7 seconds ahead of Armindo Araújo (Škoda) and 59.1 seconds ahead of Pedro Meireles (Škoda).
What’s next: Saturday’s stage schedule
Saturday, May 17 features seven special stages, totalling 122.7 competitive kilometres. The itinerary includes the return of Vieira do Minho, two passes through Cabeceiras de Basto and Amarante, and wraps up with the Super Special Stage at the revamped Lousada rallycross circuit.
Overall standings after Leg 1:
1. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) – 1:41:26.2
2. Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – +7.0s
3. Takamoto Katsuta / Aaron Johnston (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – +27.1s
4. Kalle Rovanperä / Jonne Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – +28.3s
5. Thierry Neuville / Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) – +32.7s
6. Sami Pajari / Marko Salminen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – +1:01.4
7. Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – +1:09.0
8. Grégoire Munster / Louis Louka (Ford Puma Rally1) – +1:50.2
9. Joshua McErlean / Eoin Treacy (Ford Puma Rally1) – +1:54.3
10. Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – +3:38.2 (1st Rally2)
11. Kris Meeke / Stuart Loudon (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – +9:01.7 (1st CPR)
12. Pedro Almeida / António Costa (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) – +9:11.2 (1st Portuguese)