Drivers have predicted that a careful and clever approach, combined with getting their tyre choice right will be key factors for success in this year’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal.
Speaking at the FIA Pre-event press conference, drivers from the support championships – WRC2, WR3 and the Junior WRC - were all very clear that being clever and not simply fast will be crucial to success.
Esapekka Lappi, competing in the Skoda Fabia R5 for the first time in the WRC, said that a finish was the objective for the weekend; “We have tested the car and it feels very good. There are no secrets – we have used some things from the S2000 car and now, I hope it is all fine. The finish is the target.”
Both Junior WRC drivers present – Daniel McKenna and Kornel Lukacs - predicted increasingly rough conditions as the field passes through the stages. “These WRC events are long,” said Lukacs, “so you don't need to start too fast. There are a lot of rocks and the gravel will be deep, so we will raise the car and driver clever.”
As the support drivers spoke of a smart approach, the main field seemed more concerned over tyre choice and road position. Reigning champion Sebastien Ogier admitted that he would be pushing hard and taking more risks than the other drivers, since he felt in order to succeed, this was the only way he could overcome the disadvantage of running first on the road.
“It is pointless to get frustrated,” he said, “so I must push and take extra risks to succeed and be smart with the tyres. We have two types and for sure, the softs will be faster but up to a point. I think we will have to trust our previous experience.”
Mads Ostberg, who seemed unfazed by suffering a roll in his Citroen DS3 WRC on his first run at shakedown this morning, agreed that tyres would be the main focus. “The right choice can have a massive benefit and the wrong choice can destroy your rally,” he said. “For sure, everyone will prefer the softs but there are some long stages here and it gets warmer in the afternoon, so we will see.”
He also felt that road position could have an effect on how the event unfolds; “There are a lot of fast drivers further back on the road with a good position, so there are a lot of different factors involved. But for sure, we need to be careful but also, fast.”