[WRC] Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2025

[trykmann]

As far as my memory goes then the idea with the 2025 machine was to expand the setup window. With the 2022-2024 car it has always been very narrow.

But this could be also only Tänaks problem although Thierry now said after Portugal that he will try Ott’s setup cause he was struggling with the loose rear

Ott also seems never to be satisfied and understates quite a lot even if everything is not that bad. He even complained about the 2019 Yaris, but still was faster than everybody else.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Theres no such thing as the perfect rally car. Forever moaning and tinkering with the set-up isn't the answer. Driver's should take a leaf out of Loeb's book and just get in a drive it.

[trykmann]

Theres no such thing as the perfect rally car. Forever moaning and tinkering with the set-up isn't the answer. Driver's should take a leaf out of Loeb's book and just get in a drive it.

Like Loeb did with Hyundai? You can't underestimate the importance of the machine in any kind of motorsport.

[focus206]

I think the 2024 i20 was the best rally car Hyundai has ever had, close in speed and reliability to Toyota, and at least Thierry had far less set up issues than usual (less complaints about setup and better fridays for Neuville in 2024). In my opinion they just did a worse job than Toyota to balance the car without hybrid and with Hankook, and now it's back to pre-2024 levels. I think Demaison criticized Hankook in an interview in Canarias if I remember correctly?

Tanak found the sweet spot in setup in Portugal. We have to see how Sardegna will be. But I believe that the window of "good setup" is very small indeed, especially from what we saw in Canarias vs Toyota. Not even Hirvonen and Latvala vs Loeb on asphalt rounds had such a pace difference.

[WRCStan]

Like Loeb did with Hyundai? You can't underestimate the importance of the machine in any kind of motorsport.

Did Loeb do much whinging? I don't recall any.

[trykmann]

Did Loeb do much whinging? I don't recall any.

You are correct, he has always been quite humble about everything.

Still you can even be the greatest rally driver of all time, but if the car is not good or suitable for you, then the times aren't there.

[EstWRC]

Tänak full onboard of SS16

https://youtu.be/aB8ItVohhCo?si=X6bhaAeMzG-9RxyV

[Fast Eddie WRC]

More on the tough itinerary and the safety issue, this time from Rovanpera:

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rovanpera-calls-for-wrc-maximum-day-length-rule/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Adrien Fourmaux reveals real cause behind Rally Portugal retirement – Hyundai takes immediate action...

https://rallyjournal.com/adrien-fourmaux-reveals-real-cause-behind-rally-portugal-retirement-hyundai-takes-immediate-action/