The day had started very well for the duo. Hyundai, since at the end of the morning loop, Fourmaux and Coria were simply leading this Rally from Portugal aboard a Hyundai i20 that seems almost transformed after a particularly lackluster start to the season. Everything changed in SS8, when the driver from northern France simply lost his brakes on a tricky braking zone. He went wide, in a manner similar to Oliver Solberg’s (ToyotaFourmaux was far more unlucky, suffering a double puncture which inevitably dropped him further down the standings. However, the number 16 driver is well aware that his rally could have ended at that moment.
“I lost my brakes due to the vibrations, the pedal went to the floor, I went wide and it caused a double puncture. We had to manage that until the end of the stage, so we lost a lot of time. In a way, we can also consider ourselves lucky to still be here.”he explained to us at the end of the day.
While this stroke of bad luck could be seen as yet another setback in a 2026 season that promises to be a real challenge for Hyundai drivers, Adrien Fourmaux prefers to see the glass half full, with a day and a half of Rally Portugal still to go. The weather could also play spoilsport this Saturday, which could once again reshuffle the cards in what has been a particularly close rally so far.
“The rally is still long. In Kenya, we were far back, and with the rain and the problems, we found ourselves second, fighting for the win. I think it could be the same here, so we’ll be back on the attack on Saturday. I have a good pace, I feel good in the car, so we’ll see. I think with the rain on Saturday, we could gain or lose a minute; it will depend on when it falls, where it falls, and how much. We know that makes a big difference in rallying. I think it’s a shame; it was a great day, but at least it’s not over yet.”
Interview conducted by Pierre Barré, in Portugal.