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 steely determination behind the WRC’s Solberg 2.0
Two decades after Petter Solberg emerged as a World Rally Championship winner, his son Oliver is ready to take the WRC by storm. Having secured a part-time WRC factory drive for Hyundai in 2022, he's raring to repay the marque's faith in him and follow in his 2003 champion father's footsteps
Analysing the key moves in WRC’s 2022 silly season
The World Rally Championship will step into a new hybrid era in 2022, but the car changes haven't been the only excitement that has built within the paddock. WRC's 'silly season' kicked off in a big way and all the key driver moves for 2022 - of which there are many - look set to shake things up
How joining Finland’s exclusive club was Evans' true WRC coming-of-age
By his own admission, the fifth World Rally Championship victory of Elfyn Evans' career in Finland last weekend was the drive of his life. Winning five stages in a row and soaking up huge pressure from the Hyundais on the fastest gravel stages around, the Welshman put in a faultless showing that proved what he is truly made of
Does Neuville have a point with his Rally1 rant?
OPINION: Thierry Neuville's diatribe against the upcoming Rally1-spec machines that will usher in the World Rally Championship's new hybrid era was remarkable in an era where drivers are usually reticent to air their views in public. But are the Belgian's concerns about speed, safety and cost entirely valid?
How the WRC's new flying Finn reached new heights in the Greek mountains
After Kalle Rovanpera’s historic feat at Rally Estonia, the Finn scaled new heights at the Rally of the Gods with a commanding victory. And this time Toyota’s young star demonstrated why the future is bright with his devastating speed and consistency at the Acropolis Rally
The WRC drivers that came of age at the Acropolis Rally
Five drivers have won first time out at the Rally Acropolis, transcending the tough dirt and gravel Greek roads to cement a place in rallying folklore. Here are three of the first-time winners' tales
Understanding Suninen’s sudden WRC exit gamble
From being considered a likely contender to drive the next-generation M-Sport Ford Puma in 2022, Teemu Suninen's abrupt exit has created plenty of questions. The Finn's bid to become his country's next World Rally Championship winner won't be furthered by being sidelined, but there may be reason behind the decision
Could Spa’s cameo offer the WRC a new avenue to exploit?
OPINION: The Ypres Rally featured a cameo from the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in its final stage, giving WRC teams the chance to experience its iconic corners in rallying machinery. It proved to be an engaging addition to the rally, and could perhaps serve as an example for other events to visit famous circuits
