The start of the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship has provided some exceptionally close and thrilling action so far and this weekend is expected to continue, as the crews tackle the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017.
When it comes to stage wins, it is Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville who holds the honours so far, with 27 fastest times to his name. Second in the scratch standings is M-Sport’s Elvyn Evans, with 13 wins ahead of Citroen’s Kris Meeke on 10.
However, seven of Neuville’s and five of Evans’ were notched up in Argentina, as the pair enjoyed their now almost-legendary battle that went Neuville’s way, with a winning margin of just 0.7 seconds.
So far this season, there have been 77 competitive stages run with just five, totalling 133Km, cancelled for various reasons.
Twice so far there has been a tie, indicating the closeness of the new specification of world rally car. In Mexico, Meeke and Neuville posted the same time over the 10.09Km El Brinco stage while in Argentina, Neuville was again tied, this time with Ott Tanak on the 38.8Km of El Condor.