Sébastien Loeb takes the lead in the Rally Portugal!

The probability of seeing Sébastien Loeb and Isabelle Galmiche (M-Sport Ford) interfere in the fight for victory in Rally of Portugal 2022 seemed weaker than at the Monte-Carlo Rally four months earlier. However, the Alsatian and his mathematics teacher co-driver are leading the race at the end of the fourth special this Friday, May 21!

The nine-time world rally champion (WRC) however, did not have the easy part. In SS3, he was handicapped by a poorly closed passenger door, which caused a significant amount of dust to enter the passenger compartment. With a weathered face, the second in the 2022 Dakar had only conceded a handful of tenths over the drivers who were more comfortable behind the wheel!

Times for SS3 at @rallydeportugal ️

1️⃣ @ElfynEvans 13:12.7
2️⃣ @OttTanak +0.1
3️⃣ @TakamotoKatsuta +0.2

LIVE STREAM & Standings ➡️ https://t.co/UhtIVOm5Pk
Live Updates ➡️ https://t.co/70G0EtuYn7#WRC | #WRCLive | #RallyDePortugal

- World Rally Championship (@OfficialWRC) May 20, 2022

Later, the legendary Arganil special allowed the French legend to take control of the competition, and in what way! The hybrid Ford Puma, more comfortable with tires in better condition, made good use of the winding course on the mountainside and regained the advantage by only 5 tenths over Elfyn Evans (Toyota) delicately with gums damaged in the Portuguese heat.

That's a stage WIN 🥇 and the RALLY LEAD for @SebastienLoeb 🇫🇷 on SS4 on @rallydeportugal 🇵🇹

Let's keep it up for the afternoon loop 💪.

#MSPORTERS #FordPerformance #WRC pic.twitter.com/vwyrhj2d3o

- M-Sport (@MSportLtd) May 20, 2022

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First leader Thursday evening, Thierry Neuville suffered a slump in SS3 but recovered. Championship leader Kalle Rovanperä is fifth, just ahead of eight-time world champion and luxury freelancer, Sébastien Ogier. However, the differences remain minimal on this day when the heat causes accelerated deterioration of the tires. Adrien fourmaux and Pierre-Louis Loubet, back with M-Sport Ford, close the pack of Rally1 hybrids.

In WRC2, the advantage goes to Teemu Suninen. The Finn took the lead ahead of outgoing champion Andreas Mikkelsen. The Frenchman Yohan Rossel, winner in Croatia, is at the foot of the podium at around twenty seconds.

ALSO READ > Sébastien Loeb: “I hope to be on the pace in Portugal”

Ranking Rally Portugal 2022 Friday morning loop: