Three weeks after its stop in Croatia, the FIFPro heads to Portugal this week for the fifth rally of the 2023 season. A rally in Portugal is marked by the absence of Sebastien Ogier, co-leader of the general classification.
After Monte Carlo, Sweden, Mexico and Croatia, he headed to Portugal for the World Radiocommunication Conference. In the world championship calendar since 1973 (with a break between 2002 and 2007), it is considered one of the most popular events in the calendar, even being voted “world’s best rally” five times. Exclusively on the ground, it gives pride of place to the first pilots to take off, before exposing sharp rocks that can cause mechanical problems for pilots and thus cause them to waste a lot of time.
Among those entering 2023, four drivers have already won in Portugal: Belgian Thierry Neuville (2018), Estonian Ott Tanak (2019), Britain’s Elfyn Evans (2021) and Finland’s Kali Rovanpera, last year’s winner. Note that Sebastien Ogier, who will skip this rally, is the most successful active driver in Portugal, with five victories (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017).
How do you watch the Portugal WRC Rally on TV?
The official broadcaster of the World Radiocommunication Conference, Canal+ will broadcast the entire March of Mexico. All 19 specials will be available on Canal + Sport 360, from Thursday 11th May to Sunday 14th May 2023.
WRC Rally Portugal TV programme
Thursday, May 11, 2023
- 10:01 a.m : Shakedoun Baltar [4,55 km]
Friday, May 12, 2023
- 10:05 a.m : ES1 – Lusa 1 [12,03 km]
- 11:05 a.m : ES2 – Gois 1 [19,33 km]
- 12:05 : ES2 – Archanel 1 [18,72 km]
- 2:35 p.m : SS4 – Lusa 2 [12,03 km]
- 3:35 p.m : ES5 – Gois 2 [19,33 km]
- 4:35 PM: SS6 – Arganil 2 [18,72 km]
- 6:05 p.m : SS7 – Mortagua [18,15 km]
- 8:05 p.m : SS8 – Figueira da Foz [3,36 km]
Saturday, May 13, 2023
- 08:38 : SS9 – Vieira do Minho 1 [17,48 km]
- 09:38 : ES10 – Plush 1 [22,03 km]
- 10:54 : SS11 – Filgeras 1 [37,24 km]
- 3:38 p.m : SS12 – Vieira do Minho 2 [17,48 km]
- 4:38 PM : SS13 – Plush 2 [22,03 km]
- 5:54 p.m : SS14 – Felgueiras 2 [37,24 km]
- 8:03 p.m : SS15 – Lousada SSS [3,30 km]
Sunday, May 14, 2023
- 08:05 : SS16 – Paredes 1 [15 km]
- 09:35 : SS17 – FAVI 1 [11,18 km]
- 10:35 a.m : SS18 – Cabeceiras de Basto [22,23 km]
- 1:15 p.m : SS19 – Fafe 2 (Power Stage) [11,18 km]
Entries for WRC Rally Portugal
Although there will be 87 drivers for the start of the WRC Rallye de Portugal, there will only be eight drivers to compete in the Rally 1, the first category. The leader in the general classification, Frenchman Sebastien Ogier will not be at the start of this rally, having already participated in the Croatian rally in mid-April (5). The winner of this rally and is now co-leader in the drivers’ classification, Britain’s Elfyn Evans will be present, as will Finn Calle Rovanpera, who is third in the general classification, just one point behind Sebastien Ogier and his Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans.
List of entries in Rally 1
- No. 11 – Hyundai Shell Mobis – Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe
- No. 69 – Toyota Gazoo Racing – Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen
- No. 8 – M-Sport Ford – Ott Tänak and Martin Jarveoja
- No. 33 – Toyota Gazoo Racing – Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin
- No. 6 – Hyundai Shell Mobis – Daniel Sordo and Candido Carrera
- No. 4 – Hyundai Shell Mobis – Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm
- #18 – Toyota Gazoo Racing – Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston
- No. 7 – M-Sport Ford – Pierre-Louis Loubet and Nicolas Gilsoul
Louis Russo
The words “Minnesota Miracle” and “No-Call” are scratched out of my vocabulary. My heart bleeds for the retirement of Drew Brees and RJ Barrett’s unit at Madison Square Garden.
