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Thierry Neuville captures Rally Portugal, ending Hyundai's victory drought in the 2026 World Rally Championship season. This win not only marks a significant turnaround for Hyundai but also highlights the intense competition throughout the rally.
Neuville, co-driven by Martijn Wydaeghe, clinches the victory after a dramatic twist in the penultimate stage, where Toyota's Sebastien Ogier suffers a puncture. The win comes by a margin of 16.3 seconds over Toyota’s Oliver Solberg, with championship leader Elfyn Evans completing the podium in third place, 29.1 seconds behind.
The rally showcases fierce competition, featuring four different leaders across a challenging four-day itinerary. After an impressive start on Thursday, Solberg initially leads but faces difficulties on Friday, allowing Adrien Fourmaux to take charge. However, Fourmaux's rally takes a turn when he faces a double puncture, and Ogier capitalizes to take the lead.
The weather plays a crucial role, with rain impacting performance, especially on Saturday when Solberg briefly takes the lead. Ultimately, Ogier's puncture on Sunday leads to his downfall, handing Neuville the long-awaited victory. This rally reshapes the championship landscape and sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the season.
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