The Citroën DS is widely recognised as one of the most innovative cars of the 20th century, but its connection to motorsport — particularly to the Rally de Portugal — is also one of the most remarkable in history. Originally designed as a comfortable and futuristic saloon, the DS went on to achieve one of the most unlikely victories in Portuguese motorsport.
Introduced in 1955, the Citroën DS quickly stood out for its revolutionary design, created by Flaminio Bertoni, and for its advanced technological solutions, such as the famous hydropneumatic suspension. This system allowed the car to adapt to uneven surfaces, delivering levels of comfort and stability unheard of at the time. However, what initially seemed like an advantage for everyday driving proved decisive in a competitive environment, particularly in rallying, where road conditions were often extremely challenging.
It was in this context that the DS shone in Portugal. In 1969, during the third edition of the then TAP Rally, Portuguese driver Francisco Romãozinho secured a historic victory at the wheel of a works Citroën DS 21. This achievement was especially significant, not only because the DS was an unlikely competition car, but also because Romãozinho became the first Portuguese driver to win the event in a factory-backed entry.
The 1969 edition was also marked by adverse weather conditions and an extremely demanding route, factors that favoured the DS’s robustness and adaptability. Its advanced suspension allowed it to maintain traction and control even on rough surfaces, giving it an advantage over more conventional cars. This combination of technology and durability turned the DS into a true winning “outsider”, defying the expectations of the motorsport scene at the time.
Although it was not designed as a competition car, the Citroën DS achieved several international successes, including victories in iconic events such as the Monte Carlo Rally. Nevertheless, its triumph in the Rally de Portugal remains one of the most emblematic chapters of its sporting history, particularly due to its unlikely nature.
More than just a victory, the achievement of Francisco Romãozinho and the Citroën DS symbolises the union of technological innovation and human talent. In a sport dominated by increasingly specialised machinery, the DS proved that originality and visionary engineering could also reach the very top. To this day, it is remembered as the most “unconventional” car to win the Rally de Portugal — a true icon of both automotive and sporting history in Portugal.