Taylor Gill saved his cool on Sunday to assert back-to-back FIA Junior WRC victories and draw stage with Mille Johansson within the championship standings, topping the leaderboard at Vodafone Rally de Portugal after a measured drive via the ultimate leg.
Portugal, 18 Could 2025: The Australian, co-driven by Daniel Brkíc, maintained a peaceful and constant method all through Sunday’s six-stage remaining leg – displaying the identical composure that had outlined his complete week. Beginning the day with a forty five.5sec benefit, Gill managed his lead completely to safe victory by 13.4sec over Johansson.
Taylor Gill: “What a troublesome weekend. So lengthy and so demanding — bodily and mentally. However yeah, I’m actually happy with the job we did. We actually got here out of the field firing on Friday morning and managed the rally from there. Huge because of everybody who gave me this chance. Dan did a mega job this weekend, and there are such a lot of folks behind the scenes who contributed to this consequence. I’m simply so glad proper now.”
Gill took management of the rally from SS2 onwards, capitalising on an early error from Johansson, who rolled on Friday morning. That incident left the Swede on the again foot for the rest of the occasion.
Regardless of the setback, Johansson mounted a ferocious comeback – clocking 13 quickest instances throughout the rally. Whereas it wasn’t sufficient to overtake Gill, these stage wins proved important. With bonus factors awarded for every stage victory, the pair now sit stage on 59 factors apiece after spherical two of 5.
Türkiye’s Kerem Kazaz delivered a breakthrough efficiency to assert third general. Contesting simply his second Junior WRC spherical, the 19-year-old impressed in his M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3, ending nearly half a minute away from Thomas Martens.
Martens, additionally in his rookie season, gained a place on the Wolf Energy Stage by overtaking South African driver Max Sensible. Simply 4.3sec separated the duo on the end.
Estonian driver Joosep Nõgene accomplished the rally in sixth, whereas Eamonn Kelly bounced again from a puncture on Friday to win a stage on Sunday and end seventh. Diego Domínguez broken his suspension on Friday however battled via to the top in eighth.
Regardless of early troubles, Ali Türkkan, Tristan Charpentier and Claire Schönborn all made it to the end – locking out positions ninth to eleventh.
The FIA Junior WRC season continues subsequent at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, which takes place from 26 – 29 June.
Provisional Rally Classification:
1. Taylor Gill (AUS) – 4:15:07.3;
2. Mille Johansson (SWE) – +45.5;
3. Kerem Kazaz (TUR) – +4:11.7;
4. Thomas Martens (BEL) – +4:40.9;
5. Max Sensible (ZAF) – +4:45.2;
6. Joosep Nõgene (EST) – +5:53.6;
7. Eamonn Kelly (IRL) – +10:46.3;
8. Diego Domínguez (PRY) – +20:10.3;
9. Ali Türkkan (TUR) – +34:12.5;
10. Tristan Charpentier (FRA) – +1:24:15.3;
11. Claire Schönborn (DEU) – +1:50:15.5.
Stage Winners:
SS1 SSS Figueira da Foz – Mille Johansson
SS2 Mortágua 1 – Taylor Gill
SS3 Lousã 1 – Mille Johansson
SS4 Góis 1 – Taylor Gill
SS5 Arganil 1 – Taylor Gill
SS6 Lousã 2 – Diego Dominguez
SS7 Góis 2 – Mille Johansson
SS8 Arganil 2 – Taylor Gill
SS9 Mortágua 2 – Interrupted
SS10 Águeda / Sever – Mille Johansson
SS11 Sever / Albergaria – Mille Johansson
SS12 Vieira do Minho 1 – Taylor Gill
SS13 Cabeceiras de Basto 1 – Taylor Gill
SS14 Amarante 1 – Mille Johansson
SS15 Vieira do Minho 2 – Mille Johansson
SS16 Cabeceiras de Basto 2 – Mille Johansson
SS17 Amarante 2 – Mille Johansson
SS18 SSS Lousada – Mille Johansson
SS19 Paredes 1 – Mille Johansson
SS20 Felgueiras 1 – Eamonn Kelly
SS21 Fafe 1 – Mille Johansson
SS22 Paredes 2 – Taylor Gill
SS23 Felgueiras 2 – Tristan Charpentier
SS24 Fafe 2 – Mille Johansson
