Lancia Corse HF Heads to Rally Portugal Leading WRC2 Championships on Gravel Debut
Lancia's WRC2 team arrives at Rally Portugal leading the drivers' and teams' standings as the Ypsilon Rally2 HF faces its first gravel challenge of the season.
Rossel & Dunand lead standings after wins in Croatia and Canarias
Lancia Corse HF leads WRC2 Teams' standings
Amarante stage at 26.24 km
What Happened
Round six of the FIA World Rally Championship marks the start of the 59th Rally Portugal, where the fast and demanding gravel roads of central and northern Portugal will provide a crucial moment for the WRC2-leading Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale. Lancia Corse HF arrives at the event leading both the Teams’ standings and the Drivers’ and Co-drivers’ championships, with Yohan Rossel and Arnaud Dunand building on strong momentum after their recent tarmac successes in Croatia and at Rally Islas Canarias. As the championship moves onto gravel for the first time this season, the focus will be on adapting to the new surface and maximising performance.
Rossel & Dunand lead standings after victories in Croatia and Canarias
They lead the WRC2 Drivers' and Co-drivers' championships.
“After strong results in recent weeks on the Croatian and Canary Islands asphalt rallies, we are now entering a long series of gravel events. Rally Portugal is the first of them, and it is known for being one of the most demanding for both the cars and the crews. This weekend, the task will be made even more difficult by expected rainy weather conditions. The development team behind the Lancia Ypsi”
Why this matters
The performance on this demanding gravel event will test Lancia's ability to maintain its championship lead and demonstrate the car's adaptability after strong asphalt results.
Terms in This Story
- WRC2
- The second-tier category of the World Rally Championship for production-based cars.
- Rally2
- A class of rally cars that are heavily modified but based on production vehicles.
- Gravel rally
- A rally held on unpaved, loose surfaces like dirt and gravel.
- Power Stage
- The final stage of a WRC rally where extra championship points are awarded.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.