The Portuguese round, organised by the ACP, is one of the most sought-after events on the world calendar. A true challenge on gravel stages — highly competitive and technical — yet not overly punishing on the cars’ mechanics, allowing drivers to fully showcase their skill. For this reason, the Vodafone Rally de Portugal is highly coveted by some of the biggest names in world rallying. Just ask Sébastien Ogier or Dani Sordo, among others, who, despite not competing in a full season, make a point of taking part in the Portuguese round, the sixth event of the 2026 calendar.
After significant challenges on asphalt — which even produced a few surprises — Toyota continues to underline its dominance with five wins from five rallies, also claiming all podium victories so far. This remarkable run has only been interrupted by Adrien Fourmaux’s Hyundai finishing 2nd in Safari Rally Kenya and the returning Hayden Paddon taking 3rd in Croatia. In total, five Toyota victories: two for Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta (Kenya and Croatia), with the promising Oliver Solberg winning Monte Carlo, Elfyn Evans in Sweden, and champion Sébastien Ogier in the Canary Islands. Now, the Portuguese stages will test different generations of drivers in a true challenge for both Toyota and Hyundai machinery, without overlooking M-Sport Ford, which is still aiming for stronger results.
Cold, ice and snow set the tone for the start of the 2026 WRC season. First in Monte Carlo, from 22 to 25 January, where Oliver Solberg beat team-mates Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier, followed by Sweden, from 12 to 15 February, with Elfyn Evans taking victory ahead of fellow Toyota drivers Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari. The Japanese Toyota driver then claimed his first-ever WRC victory in Kenya, held from 12 to 15 March, with Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux finishing 2nd ahead of Sami Pajari’s Toyota. Croatia followed, from 10 to 12 April, delivering a second consecutive win for Katsuta after a dramatic retirement for then-leader Thierry Neuville on the Power Stage, the final stage of the rally.
In this surprise win for Katsuta, Sami Pajari secured 2nd place, delivering another one-two finish for Toyota, while Hayden Paddon claimed an impressive 3rd place for Hyundai. Most recently, from 23 to 26 April, the Rally Islas Canarias marked the return of Sébastien Ogier and Dani Sordo, both enjoying the chance to compete on home soil. Once again, Toyota dominated, delivering a fascinating battle between generations. Sébastien Ogier and Oliver Solberg went head-to-head for most of the rally, but a mistake by Solberg on the penultimate stage denied a final showdown, handing victory to the veteran champion Sébastien Ogier, ahead of Elfyn Evans and Sami Pajari in an all-Toyota podium. Attention now turns to strong responses expected from Hyundai at the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, from 7 to 10 May.
Heading into the Portuguese round, the WRC standings are extremely close. Elfyn Evans now leads the drivers’ championship, but by just two points over team-mate Takamoto Katsuta. Evans has 101 points, while Katsuta sits on 99. Behind them are two more Toyota drivers, Sami Pajari with 72 points, closely followed by Oliver Solberg with 68. The first Hyundai driver, Adrien Fourmaux, is next with 59 points, just one ahead of Toyota’s champion Sébastien Ogier on 58. In the manufacturers’ standings, the gap is significant, with Toyota on 265 points compared to Hyundai’s 167.