Portugal’s rough stages represents the start of the WRC’s gravel season with this round the first of seven consecutive rallies held on the loose surfaces.
After scoring a an emotional first WRC win in 18 months, Toyota’s Elfyn Evans heads to Portugal tied at the top of the standings with team-mate and eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier.
However 2021 Portugal winner Evans will face the disadvantage of opening the dusty gravel roads as Ogier, contesting a partial season, is absent from the entry list.
Reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera is a point behind Evans and Ogier in the standings although the Finn is yet to score a victory this season, his last win arriving seven months ago in New Zealand.
The 22-year-old has form in Portugal after scoring an impressive victory en route to last year’s title, despite starting first on the road.
Takamoto Katsuta will inherit the final factory Toyota seat from Ogier for only the second time this season.
Hyundai will return to fielding three cars after withdrawing an entry that was set to be driven by the late Craig Breen, who died in a Rally Croatia testing crash.
The third i20 N will be driven by Dani Sordo, a regular on the podium in Portugal having secured silverware on six occasions, although the 40-year-old Spaniard is yet to taste victory.
Source: Autosport