FIA Rally Star crews to tackle iconic gravel at Rally Portugal

Rally of Portugal (May 15 – 18, 2025) presents the first gravel challenge for the FIA ​​rally star teams, with the event that marks the third WRC2 appearance of Romet Jürgenson and the second Junior WRC challenge for Taylor Gill and Max Smart.

Since its debut in 1973, Rally of Portugal has become one of the most revered events in the WRC calendar, known for its rich history and demanding conditions. With 24 stages that cover 344.50 km of the most resistant and unpredictable gravel roads, the rally offers everything, from soft and loose surfaces to deeply struggled sections that prove the ability of a driver to adapt to the fly.

For the Star Rally trio of Romet Jürgenson/Siim Oja, Taylor Gill/Dan Brkic and Max Smart/Malcolm Read, this will be a true proof of their abilities. Compeating both in Junior WRC and WRC2, drivers will face a fierce competition as they go to the best results. Each one is anxious to take advantage of the lessons they have learned so far this season and leave their brand one of the most prestigious sport events.

Romet Jürgenson Back on Graver for WRC2 development

Romet Jürgenson has been constantly gaining experience in Rally2 machinery. After cutting the teeth in the snow in Sweden, he delivered a series of strong results in the British Rally Championship, along with shine flashes in the Canary Islands Rally. The current WRC Junior champion now returns to the surface where he feels more at home.

Despite a challenging start for its second WRC2 departure in the Canary Islands Rally, the Estonian duo constantly improved through the event. They now aim to convert that experience in clean and competitive stage times on the changing gravel roads of Portugal, a surface with which Jürgenson is particularly familiar. Portugal Rally will mark its second gravel event in a Rally2 car, and every kilometer conducted here provides valuable data as it continues to adapt to the limits of the Rally2 party on loose surfaces.

The WRC2 field is scheduled to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with more than 45 tickets; Jürgenson is looking to accumulate rhythm throughout the weekend and show his speed in the gravel while continuing to progress in the Rally2 machinery.

Gill seeks to translate ice victory to gravel rhythm

After a dominant ice victory in Sweden rally, Taylor Gill arrives in Portugal full of trust when the Junior WRC goes to his first gravel test of the season. At the head of the event, the two full days of tests in Portugal and approached the Rali Terras d’A aboboreira, a round of the FIA ​​rally trophy. Obtain an invaluable experience on soft and changing surfaces without the pressure of fighting for the championship. With his M -Sport team, Gill has focused on the fine of his configuration to adapt to the notable stages of Portugal. With impulse on its side and a solid base in its place, its goal is to offer another strong result and continue its impulse for the Junior WRC title.

Max Smart returns to Graver with Fresh Focus and a new co-conductor for Portugal Rally

The WRC Junior contender, Max Smart, addresses Rally with renewed trust and a new co -pilot association, associating with Malcolm Read for the first time.

After a hard way out in Sweden, Smart has been hard training in Scotland, analyzing data and sharpening their skills in a variety or low grip conditions. With a strong background in motocross and a clear preference for gravel, the South African driver feels at home on the surface and is eager to put into action the lessons learned in Sweden.

With his only discarded score of the season now behind him, Smart knows that a clean result in Portugal is crucial to keep his hopes alive.

The FIA ​​rally star project leader Jérôme Roussel said: “Portugal Rally presents a real test of resistance, precision and adaptability, exactly the type of challenge that our FIA rally stars drivers need at this stage in their development. Taylor arrives with a winning impulse and a growing maturity, while Romet continues to impress with his rhythm and work ethics in Rally2. Max has important tasks forward in recent weeks, and the new association with Malcolm is already being promised. Each of them focuses on building experience, delivering clean stages and continuing the learning process. Portugal will be another key milestone on his trip. “

Romet Jürgenson declared: “We learned a lot in the Canaries, especially about the strategy of the tires and the preservation of the car on the pulmonary, rough stages. The 344 km or the gravel of Portugal are a great task, there is much that can happen about four days. Our first objective to experimentation, soak each possible experiment and refine notes for each pass.

Taylor Gill commented: “Winning in Sweden gave me great confidence, I showed that I can handle an advantage under pressure. Here in Portugal, the goal is to bring that composure to the gravel. The roads are softer, the deepest routines. But I love that challenge. I am incredible excited by Portugal, the crowds take you anywhere else, and I can’t wait to listen to them while we open that famous jump. “

Max Smart added: “Working with Malcolm already has a fantastic leg; He brings quiet experience, and we are already knowing the style of the other. Rally The Portugal will be a particularly special event for me as my mother’s flight from South Africa, which makes it very special. Portugal is about administering fatigue, tire wear and unpredictable soft sections. My goal is to finish each stage, develop our trust as a pairing and tell those first Junior WRC points of the season. “

Click here to find more about the FIA ​​Rally Star program and continue @fiarallstar on social networks.