Portugal once again hosts the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with the running of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, the sixth round of the season. This year’s edition introduces one of the most significant changes in recent years: a stronger competitive focus right from the start of the rally.
Opening days feature route changes
The main updates are focused on the early stages, with changes that introduce new technical challenges:
- The Figueira da Foz super special stage (1.93 km) features a revised layout
- The Arganil (18.62 km) and Góis (15.66 km) stages will be run in reverse direction
- Lousã (7.07 km) makes its debut as an entirely new stage
A decisive weekend with Fafe in the spotlight
Saturday, 9 May, includes nine special stages, while “Super Sunday” will be contested over four stages.
The second pass through Fafe (11.18 km) once again serves as the Power Stage, remaining one of the key moments of the rally. The podium ceremony will also feature a significant change, taking place at the finish of the final stage.
A rally of major scale
Over the four days of competition, crews will face:
- 23 special stages
- 344.91 competitive kilometres
- 1,874.58 kilometres in total, including road sections
The route once again crosses the Centre and North of the country, maintaining the diverse terrain that characterises the Portuguese rally.
Entry list with strong WRC presence
The 2024 edition features 70 entries, including the leading teams from the World Championship.
Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin arrive in Portugal as championship leaders, heading a Toyota line-up that occupies five of the top six positions in the overall standings.
Among the key names is Sébastien Ogier, who returns at the wheel of a Toyota Yaris aiming to secure his eighth victory in Portugal. Should he succeed, he will further cement his status as the most successful driver in the event’s history.
In addition to the Frenchman, both Elfyn Evans and Thierry Neuville have previously won on Portuguese soil, while several other drivers aim to join this exclusive group.
On the Portuguese side, Armindo Araújo — a three-time winner — once again stands out as one of the leading national contenders, aiming to shine among local drivers despite not competing in a Rally1 car.
Categories in focus
Portugal hosts a strong field across the various categories:
- 11 crews in Rally1
- 44 crews in Rally2, including WRC2 leader Yohan Rossel
- 13 crews in Rally3, including 9 in WRC3 and 7 in the Junior WRC
“Competition, passion and dedication are the ingredients that make the Vodafone Rally de Portugal a global benchmark. The best drivers and the best cars never miss the Portuguese round, which always remains memorable thanks to the devotion of the thousands of spectators who line the stages and cheer them on.
It is a major celebration that generates a significant economic impact in the regions the rally passes through, and it only takes place thanks to the commitment of the municipalities involved, tourism bodies and sponsors,” said Carlos Barbosa, Chairman of the Organising Committee.
Exponor once again serves as the hub
Exponor, in Matosinhos, once again serves as the operational hub of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal.
The infrastructure will be fully set up by Sunday, 3 May, with preparations on site beginning that same day with the opening of administrative checks.
Recce begins the following day and continues through to Wednesday, 6 May.