Rally of Portugal: Neuville wins in Arganil and Ogier’s co-driver gives indications… gestures – Rally

Takamoto Katsuta reinforced his lead in the general classification at the end of the morning section

Thierry Neuville was the fastest driver in the first pass through Arganil, which ends the morning section this Friday. Takamoto Katsuta reinforced his lead in the general classification of the Rally de Portugal, now having a 2.9 second advantage over Neuville, who gained three positions and rose to 2nd place, despite it being the Belgian who opened the road.

Sébastien Ogier and co-pilot Vincent Landais were affected by a breakdown in the communication system between them, which forced the French navigator to transmit instructions to the pilot through gestures, using his hands. Dani Sordo completed the Arganil stage without the support of the hybrid unit.

Closing of the morning section of this Friday’s stage (the Portuguese will still complete Arganil), with the top 6 in the general classification separated by less than 10 seconds, which suggests a very exciting afternoon, with the second passes through the Lousã sections , Góis, Arganil and Mortágua.

Arganil 1
1st Thierry Neuville, Hyundai: 11.40.5 minutes
2nd Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota: +2.2 seconds
3rd Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota: +2.3 s
4th Sébastien Ogier, Toyota: +3.0 s
5th Ott Tänak, Hyundai: +4.5 s

Overall rating
1st Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota: 43.53.7 minutes
4th Thierry Neuville, Hyundai: +2.9 seconds
3rd Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota: +3.3 s
2nd Ott Tänak, Hyundai: +4.1 s
5th Sébastien Ogier, Toyota: +7.5 s

Lucas Simões overturned

The Portuguese Lucas Simões, who entered the Rally of Portugal in 3rd place in the Portuguese Rally Championship, overturned in the first half of the Góis section, with RallyTV images demonstrating the series of somersaults that his car performed. The Ford Fiesta left the stage, meaning it did not force the organization to cancel the special, as had happened in Mortágua.

By André Gonçalves