With just one week to go before Portugal once again hosts one of the most prestigious events in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the excitement for the 2025 Vodafone Rally de Portugal is at an all-time high. Hundreds of thousands of spectators are getting ready to witness the unique spectacle that only the WRC can deliver.
From May 15 to 18, the Vodafone Rally de Portugal — the fifth round of the WRC calendar — will bring the world’s top drivers and the most spectacular road cars to our country. Organized by the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP), the biggest sporting event held in Portugal will cover the Centre and North regions, crossing the municipalities of Águeda, Albergaria-a-Velha, Amarante, Arganil, Cabeceiras de Basto, Coimbra, Fafe, Felgueiras, Figueira da Foz, Góis, Lousã, Lousada, Matosinhos, Mortágua, Paredes, Sever do Vouga, and Vieira do Minho.
Four days of action and adrenaline
This year’s rally is split into three legs, featuring 24 special stages, totalling 344.5 timed kilometres. Run on gravel, these routes are known for their toughness and demand, and traditionally present a huge challenge for both drivers and machines.
The Vodafone Rally de Portugal begins on Thursday, May 15, with the Shakedown in Baltar during the morning. The Ceremonial Start takes place in Coimbra, and the competition kicks off with a Super Special Stage (the only one run on asphalt), held in the heart of Figueira da Foz in the late afternoon.
On Friday, May 16, drivers will face 10 special stages over 146.5 km, making it the longest day of the rally. The route includes double runs through Lousã, Góis, and Arganil, as well as a stage in Mortágua. That same day sees the debut of the Águeda/Sever do Vouga stage and the return of Sever do Vouga/Albergaria-a-Velha, used back in the 1990s.
The second leg, on Saturday, May 17, includes seven special stages totalling 122.7 km. It features the return of Vieira do Minho, double runs through Cabeceiras de Basto and Amarante, and ends with the fan-favourite Super Special Stage at the revamped Eurocircuito de Lousada.
The rally concludes on Sunday, May 18, with two runs each through Paredes, Felgueiras, and Fafe, totalling 72.1 km. The iconic Power Stage — awarding extra points to the five fastest drivers — will be the second pass through Fafe, ending with the spectacular Pedra Sentada jump, ensuring a thrilling grand finale.
The world’s best drivers and cars in action
This year’s entry list is the biggest and best of the WRC season, featuring 95 crews, including 12 Rally1 cars and 56 Rally2 entries.
Toyota, the reigning world champion, will field four GR Yaris Rally1s under official colours, driven by Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanperä, and Takamoto Katsuta. Only the top three will score points for the manufacturers’ championship, but Toyota’s Gazoo Racing line-up is world-class, featuring eight-time champion Ogier, two-time champ Rovanperä, and current drivers' standings leader Evans. Rising star Sami Pajari, the 2024 WRC2 champion, will also compete in a GR Yaris Rally1 for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2.
Hyundai Motorsport is also aiming high, with three i20 N Rally1s for reigning world champion Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, and Adrien Fourmaux — a top-tier trio ready to keep Hyundai in the title fight.
Meanwhile, M-Sport Ford presents a strengthened line-up for the Portuguese challenge. Alongside regular drivers Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean, the team fields Martinš Sesks from Latvia and Portugal’s own Diogo Salvi, making his debut at the wheel of a Rally1 car. Salvi’s entry marks a special moment, as he becomes the first Portuguese driver to compete in the top class since 2012.
56 Rally2 cars promise even more spectacle
This year’s WRC2 field is stacked with talent, promising a highly competitive fight. Among the 56 Rally2 entries, top names include Oliver Solberg (Toyota GR Yaris), Gus Greensmith (Skoda Fabia RS), Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Toyota GR Yaris), Nikolay Gryazin (Skoda Fabia RS), Jan Solans (Toyota GR Yaris), and brothers Yohan and Léo Rossel (Citroën C3) — all favourites for the category win.
Portuguese Rally Championship stakes also in play
WRC fans will also want to keep an eye on former WRC stars Kris Meeke (Toyota GR Yaris) and Dani Sordo (Hyundai i20 N), both now competing in the Portuguese Rally Championship in Rally2 cars. Joining them are local heroes Armindo Araújo (Skoda Fabia RS), Ricardo Teodósio (Toyota GR Yaris), José Pedro Fontes (Citroën C3), Pedro Meireles (Skoda Fabia RS), Pedro Almeida (Skoda Fabia RS), and Gonçalo Henriques (Hyundai i20 N) — all ready to battle the world’s best on home soil.
2025 season changes
This season, the WRC has abolished the hybrid system, with Rally1 cars now powered solely by 1.6-litre turbo engines (380 hp). The result? Lighter, more agile cars — though slightly less powerful. Another major change is the debut of Hankook as the new official tyre supplier for Rally1 cars.
Countdown to the spectacle!
We’re exactly one week away from the start of the 2025 Vodafone Rally de Portugal. Get ready for four thrilling days of high-speed action, fierce competition, and pure rally passion across the Centre and North of Portugal.
Don’t miss a moment of this unmissable event!
See you near the action — but always at a safe distance.
Check out the full event programme on our website.