A penúltima especial do Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2014 foi ganha pelo norueguês Mads Ostberg da Citroen. O nórdico assinou assim a sua primeira vitória em especiais na prova no final de um troço onde quase todos os pilotos do pelotão pensaram mais na derradeira especial.
O piloto do DS3 WRC dimitiu que tinha um conjunto novo de pneus moles para este derradeiro dia e no final dos 16.21 quilómetros da especial de São Brás de Alportel foi seis segundos mais rápido que o finlandês Mikko Hirvonen. O terceiro mais rápido foi Andreas Mikkelsen, apontando já ao quarto posto da classificação geral ao mesmo tempo que Henning Solberg sentia problemas na especial. No final da especial Mikkelsen conseguiu mesmo passar o seu compatriota e assumir a quarta posição da classificação geral.
O quarto mais rápido na especial foi o líder da classificação Sébastien Ogier, conservando os seus pneus para a derradeira especial do rally apesar de ter declarado no final que ainda não tinha decidido se iría à procura dos pontos extra da Power Stage.
Entre os WRC 2 foi Jari Ketomaa a fazer o melhor tempo após ter feito algumas alterações no alinhamento do seu Fiesta, recuperando seis segundos a Nasser Al-Attiyah antes da derradeira especial.
Bernardo Sousa manteve a quinta posição na categoria, e melhor posto entre os portugueses, atingindo o final da especial com problemas no seu carro, nomeadamente um escape partido. O piloto da Madeir
Hyundai Motorsport has been building up its new operation from scratch since the start of the year, establishing the team at a dedicated facility in Alzenau, Germany and recruiting specialists at every level of its organisation.
Test drivers are an integral part of the team’s development programme, requiring the necessary skills and experience to develop a competitive and reliable rally car in a short space of time.
Six months ahead of the debut at Rallye Monte-Carlo in January 2014, Hyundai Motorsport is in the process of carrying out an intensive test programme to evaluate and develop the i20 WRC on all terrains and conditions.
Hänninen won the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2010 followed by the FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship and the FIA European Rally Championship titles in 2011 and 2012 respectively. He will be a valuable asset for the team to prepare the assault to the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship.
Hyundai Motorsport will soon be in a position to announce a second test driver for the remainder of the 2013 test phase. 2014 drivers will be announced at the end of the year.
Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan commented: “We’re very pleased to welcome Juho on board for our 2013 test programme. I’m sure his experience and background will contribute to the project and I’m happy with the job he’s done so far.
We have decided to work with different drivers with unique skills and capabilities this year, which will provide us with valuable feedback for 2014.
Hänninen said: “I’m delighted to be part of the Hyundai Motorsport testing programme for this year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work closely to a manufacturer and to give my contribution to this great challenge.
The first run with the i20 WRC was quite positive for me; I’m very impressed with the work the team has done so far in such an incredibly short space of time. I feel comfortable with everyone in the team and I look forward to carry on working with them in the next six months.”