Lancia faces first gravel challenge of the WRC season aiming to retain championship lead

• Rossel–Dunand lead the standings after victories in Croatia and Canarias, with Gryazin–Aleksandrov currently fifth
• Lancia Corse HF heads to the iconic Rally Portugal leading the WRC2 Teams’ standings
• An important milestone in the season for the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, facing its first gravel challenge and aiming to carry over its strong asphalt form
   

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. Meanwhile, Nikolay Gryazin and Konstantin Aleksandrov, currently fifth in the WRC2 standings, will look to continue their solid progress after consistent recovery drives in the opening rounds. A third Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale will also be fielded at Rally Portugal, competing in the national championship rather than the WRC2 category. Car #45 will be driven by Portuguese crew José Pedro Fontes and Inês Ponte, who recently secured an impressive fourth-place finish at Rally Terras d’Aboboreira

Rally Portugal represents a significant milestone for the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, making its gravel debut in the championship at one of the most technically and physically demanding events of the year. Portuguese stages often begin with soft, sandy surfaces but quickly become rough and rutted, with exposed rocks that can pose serious challenges. Precision, consistency and composure will be essential in an event renowned for its huge and enthusiastic crowds lining the stages.

The rally gets underway on Thursday 7 May at 14:00 with the ceremonial start in the university city of Coimbra. The action begins immediately with the Agueda – Sever and Sever – Albergaria stages, totalling 35 kilometres, before heading to the spectacular Figueira da Foz super special stage, set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.

Friday features seven stages covering 96.22 kilometres, including the fast and technical Lousã—returning to the WRC after several years—and Arganil tests. Saturday is the longest and most demanding day of the rally, with nine stages and 146 kilometres against the clock, highlighted by the iconic Amarante stage (26.24 km), the longest of the event, run twice before the crowd-favourite Lousada super special stage, featuring head-to-head action on the Costilha circuit, also used in rallycross.

The rally concludes on Sunday with two runs of Vieira do Minho (21.6 km) and the legendary Fafe stage (11.18 km), which will once again host the rally-closing Power Stage.

Didier Clément – Team Principal, Lancia Corse HF
“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 Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale has carried out extensive preparation work in conditions similar to those we expect to face. Against extremely strong competition, the entire Lancia Corse HF team is ready to take on this important challenge”

Media contact:
Lancia HQ
Simona Magnarelli: +39 366 6729414
simona.magnarelli@stellantis.com 

Team Lancia Corse HF / Stellantis Motorsport
Mathilde Ponceau: +33 6 58 81 43 01
mathilde.ponceau@external.stellantis.com

Lancia
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Turin, 06 May 2026