P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera made the most of a favorable Friday starting spot to head a frenetic to-and-fro battle for the WRC Rally Portugal’s overnight lead. Rovanpera (above) ended the day a mere …
Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera seized the lead in WRC Rally Portugal after an intense battle with teammate Sebastien Ogier, finishing the day just 1.0s ahead in an exciting race with multiple stage winners. Despite starting fifth on the road due to limited schedule, Rovanpera climbed the ranks with top-three times in later stages, overcoming initial challenges and tire issues. The race saw a tight competition with top four drivers separated by just 5.4s, showcasing the fierce competitiveness of the event. Tire management played a crucial role in the race, with different compounds favored for varying stage conditions throughout the day. Despite challenges faced by other drivers like Evans’ misfortunes, the Toyota team dominated the leaderboard with Rovanpera leading the pack.
