Rally de Portugal (fifteenth–18th Might 2025) presents the primary gravel problem for the FIA Rally Star crews, with the occasion marking Romet Jürgenson’s third WRC2 look and the second Junior WRC problem for Taylor Gill and Max Good.
Since its debut in 1973, Rally de Portugal has turn into one of the crucial revered occasions within the WRC calendar, recognized for its wealthy historical past and demanding situations. That includes 24 levels masking 344.50 km of a few of the most rugged and unpredictable gravel roads, the rally affords every part from comfortable, unfastened surfaces to deeply rutted sections that take a look at a driver’s capacity to adapt on the fly.
For the FIA Rally Star trio of Romet Jürgenson/Siim Oja, Taylor Gill/Dan Brkic, and Max Good/Malcolm Learn, this will probably be a real take a look at of their capabilities. Competing in each Junior WRC and WRC2, the drivers will face fierce competitors as they aim prime outcomes. Every is keen to construct on the teachings they’ve realized up to now this season and make their mark on one of many sport’s most prestigious occasions.
Romet Jürgenson again on gravel for WRC2 growth
Romet Jürgenson has been steadily gaining expertise in Rally2 equipment. After reducing his tooth on snow in Sweden, he delivered a string of robust ends in the British Rally Championship, together with flashes of brilliance at Rally Islas Canarias. The reigning Junior WRC champion now returns to the floor the place he feels most at house.
Regardless of a difficult begin to their second WRC2 outing at Rally Islas Canarias, the Estonian duo improved constantly all through the occasion. They now intention to transform that have into clear, aggressive stage occasions on Portugal’s, shifting gravel roads, a floor with which Jürgenson is especially acquainted. Rally Portugal will mark his second gravel occasion in a Rally2 automotive, and each kilometre pushed right here offers useful knowledge as he continues to adapt to the boundaries of the Fiesta Rally2 on unfastened surfaces.
The WRC2 area is ready to be one of the crucial aggressive lately, with over 45 entries; Jürgenson is trying to construct tempo throughout the weekend and present his pace on gravel as he continues progressing in Rally2 equipment.
Gill seems to be to translate ice victory into gravel tempo
After a commanding victory on the ice in Rally Sweden, Taylor Gill arrives in Portugal filled with confidence because the Junior WRC heads to its first gravel take a look at of the season. Within the lead‑as much as the occasion, he accomplished two days of testing in Portugal and tackled the Rali Terras d’Aboboreira, a spherical of the FIA European Rally Trophy. Gaining invaluable expertise on comfortable, shifting surfaces with out the strain of preventing for the championship. Together with his M‑Sport staff, Gill has been centered on tremendous‑tuning his setup to swimsuit Portugal’s notoriously demanding levels. With momentum on his facet and a stable basis in place, he’s aiming to ship one other robust end result and proceed his push for the Junior WRC title.
Max Good returns to gravel with contemporary focus and new co-driver for Rally Portugal
Junior WRC contender Max Good heads into Rally Portugal with renewed confidence and a contemporary co-driver partnership, teaming up with Malcolm Learn for the primary time.
After a tricky outing in Sweden, Good has been arduous at work coaching in Scotland, analysing knowledge, and sharpening his expertise throughout a wide range of low-grip situations. With a robust background in motocross and a transparent desire for gravel, the South African driver feels at house on the unfastened floor and is keen to place classes realized in Sweden into motion.
Together with his solely dropped rating of the season now behind him, Good is aware of a clear and constant lead to Portugal is essential to maintaining his title hopes alive.
FIA Rally Star Venture Chief Jérôme Roussel stated: “Rally Portugal presents an actual take a look at of endurance, precision and adaptableness, precisely the sort of problem our FIA Rally Star drivers want at this stage of their growth. Taylor arrives with profitable momentum and rising maturity, whereas Romet continues to impress along with his tempo and work ethic in Rally2. Max has taken vital steps ahead in current weeks, and the brand new partnership with Malcolm is already displaying promise. Every of them is targeted on constructing expertise, delivering clear levels, and persevering with the educational course of. Portugal will probably be one other key milestone of their journey.”
Romet Jürgenson acknowledged: “We realized rather a lot within the Canaries, particularly about tyre technique and automotive preservation over lengthy, tough levels. Portugal’s 344km of gravel is a giant process, there’s a lot that may occur over 4 days. Our first intention is just to complete each stage with out injury, absorb as a lot expertise as doable, and refine our notes for every go. If we are able to then present some tempo on levels like Vieira do Minho and the Fafe Energy Stage, we’ll know our gravel programme is working.”
Taylor Gill commented: “Profitable in Sweden gave me enormous confidence, I proved I can handle a lead underneath strain. Right here in Portugal, the purpose is to take that composure onto gravel. The roads are softer, the ruts deeper. However I really like that problem. I’m extremely excited for Portugal, the crowds carry you want nowhere else, and I can’t wait to listen to them as we crest that well-known leap.”
Max Good added: “Working with Malcolm has already been unbelievable; he brings calm expertise, and we’re already attending to know one another’s model. Rally de Portugal will probably be a very particular occasion for me as my mum’s flying in from South Africa, which makes it further particular. Portugal is about managing fatigue, tyre put on and people unpredictable comfortable sections. My intention is to complete each stage, construct our confidence as a pairing, and financial institution these first Junior WRC factors of the season.”
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