The Rally de Portugal, first held in 1967, has a rich history in the world of rallying. It became part of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 1973, when it was the third round of the calendar. The event has grown to become one of the most recognized and respected rallies in the championship, earning the title of “World’s Best Rally” five times.
A Look Back at the Winners
Over the years, the Rally de Portugal has seen many talented drivers and co-drivers take the top spot. The list of winners is a who’s who of rallying legends. Portuguese drivers have had their share of success, with Armindo Araújo winning the event three times. Other notable Portuguese winners include Rui Madeira, who won in 1996, and Francisco Romãozinho, who took the victory in 1969. Joaquim Moutinho also made history by winning in 1986.
The event has also seen some notable international winners. Sébastien Ogier has been a dominant force, winning the rally five times. Other top drivers like Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz, and Kalle Rovanperä have also taken the top spot.
Notable Moments
One of the most notable moments in the rally’s history was when Michèle Mouton became the only female driver to win the event in 1982. She also made history by being the only woman to win a WRC round. The rally has also seen some great battles between drivers, with many going down to the wire.
The event was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Continued Legacy
The Rally de Portugal has been a staple of the WRC calendar since its return in 2007, with the Automóvel Clube de Portugal (ACP) organizing the event. The ACP has seen its contract extended until 2028, ensuring the rally’s continued presence in the championship. With its rich history and exciting courses, the Rally de Portugal remains a fan favorite and a must-win event for drivers.
Here are some of the past winners of the Rally de Portugal:
- 2025: Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais, France (Toyota)
- 2024: Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais, France (Toyota)
- 2023: Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen, Finland (Toyota)
- 2022: Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen, Finland (Toyota)
- 2021: Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin, Great Britain (Toyota)
- 2019: Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja, Estonia (Toyota)
- 2018: Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul, Belgium (Hyundai)
- 2017: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia, France (Ford)
- 2016: Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle, Great Britain/Ireland (Citroen)
- 2015: Jari-Matti Latvala/Miika Anttila, Finland (Volkswagen)
- 2014: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia, France (Volkswagen)
- 2013: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia, France (Volkswagen)
- 2012: Mads Østberg/Jonas Andersson, Norway/Sweden (Ford)
- 2011: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia, France (Citroen)
- 2010: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia, France (Citroen)
- 2009: Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena, France/Monaco (Citroen)
- 2008: Luca Rossetti/Matteo Chiarcossi, Italy (Peugeot)
- 2007: Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena, France/Monaco (Citroen)
- 2006: Armindo Araújo/Miguel Ramalho, Portugal (Citroen)
- 2005: Daniel Carlsson/Mattias Andersson, Sweden (Subaru)
- 2004: Armindo Araújo/Miguel Ramalho, Portugal (Citroen)
- 2003: Armindo Araújo/Miguel Ramalho, Portugal (Citroen)
- 2002: Didier Auriol/Thierry Barjou, France (Toyota)
- 2001: Tommi Mäkinen/Risto Mannisenmäki, Finland (Mitsubishi)
- 2000: Richard Burns/Robert Reid, England (Subaru)
- 1999: Colin McRae/Nicky Grist, Scotland/Wales (Ford)
- 1998: Colin McRae/Nicky Grist, Scotland/Wales (Subaru)
- 1997: Tommi Mäkinen/Seppo Harjanne, Finland (Mitsubishi)
- 1996: Rui Madeira/Nuno Rodrigues da Silva, Portugal (Toyota)
- 1995: Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya, Spain (Subaru)
- 1994: Juha Kankkunen/Nicky Grist, Finland/Wales (Toyota)
- 1993: François Delecour/Daniel Grataloup, France (Ford)
- 1992: Juha Kankkunen/Juha Piironen, Finland (Lancia)
- 1991: Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya, Spain (Toyota)
- 1990: Massimo Biasion/Tiziano Siviero, Italy (Lancia)
- 1989: Massimo Biasion/Tiziano Siviero, Italy (Lancia)
- 1988: Massimo Biasion/Carlo Cassina, Italy (Lancia)
- 1987: Markku Alén/Ilkka Kivimäki, Finland (Lancia)
- 1986: Joaquim Moutinho/Edgar Fortes, Portugal (Renault)
- 1985: Timo Salonen/Seppo Harjanne, Finland (Peugeot)
- 1984: Hannu Mikkola/Arne Hertz, Finland/Sweden (Audi)
- 1983: Hannu Mikkola/Arne Hertz, Finland/Sweden (Audi)
- 1982: Michèle Mouton/Fabrizia Pons, France/Italy (Audi)
- 1981: Markku Alén/Ilkka Kivimäki, Finland (Fiat)
- 1980: Walter Röhrl/Christian Geistdörfer, Germany (Fiat)
- 1979: Hannu Mikkola/Arne Hertz, Finland/Sweden (Ford)
- 1978: Markku Alén/Ilkka Kivimäki, Finland (Fiat)
- 1977: Markku Alén/Ilkka Kivimäki, Finland (Fiat)
- 1976: Sandro Munari/Silvio Maiga, Italy (Lancia)
- 1975: Markku Alén/Ilkka Kivimäki, Finland (Lancia)
- 1974: Raffaele Pinto/Arnaldo Bernacchini, Italy (Fiat)
- 1973: Jean-Luc Thérier/Jacques Jaubert, France (Renault)
- 1972: Achim Warmbold/John Davenport, Germany/England (BMW)
- 1971: Jean-Pierre Nicolas/Jean Todt, France (Renault)
- 1970: Simo Lampinen/John Davenport, Sweden/England (Lancia)
- 1969: Francisco Romãozinho/João Canas Mendes, Portugal (Citroen)
- 1968: Tony Fall/Ron Crellin, England (Lancia)
- 1967: Carpinteiro Albino/Silva Ferreira, Portugal (Renault)
