Araujo suffers early Portugal blow
Portugal's hopes of a dream result for local hero Armindo Araujo took a hit earlier this week, when the Mini driver had to change his engine ahead of this week's Rally of Portugal
Double Production Car World Rally champion Araujo is contesting his home WRC round in a Super 2000 version of the Mini John Cooper Works, but the engine in the car is largely the same as the World Rally Car version which makes its debut in Italy in May.
Araujo was forced to change the 1.6-litre motor after it suffered a technical problem early in his test.
"We were trying to find the ideal set-up for the car," said Araujo, "but we had to stop early, as we had a problem with the engine. The team is trying to find the problem but we have a spare engine for the rally, which is better than we tested last week.
"There was nothing to prove on the test - we were just trying to find the feeling with the car and cover as many kilometres as possible. I know we won't be able to fight with the World Rally Cars and we have nothing to prove, so we just want to see how the car is."
Araujo's will not be the only Mini present in Portugal. Daniel Oliveira is also driving a John Cooper Works S2000 on the Faro-based event which starts tomorrow.
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
Wolff fully committed to seeing Mercedes back to front of F1 grid
Wolff fully committed to seeing Mercedes back to front of F1 grid Wolff fully committed to seeing Mercedes back to front of F1 grid
Bagnaia “was in trouble” in last laps of Portugal MotoGP race
Bagnaia “was in trouble” in last laps of Portugal MotoGP race Bagnaia “was in trouble” in last laps of Portugal MotoGP race
What is really behind Domenicali's "cancel" F1 practice comments
What is really behind Domenicali's "cancel" F1 practice comments What is really behind Domenicali's "cancel" F1 practice comments
Raikkonen "got unlucky" with COTA chaos on NASCAR return
Raikkonen "got unlucky" with COTA chaos on NASCAR return Raikkonen "got unlucky" with COTA chaos on NASCAR return
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.