Who is this
WRC star
in a kart?

The Brazil World Rally Team ace hasn’t contested a round of the WRC since the Acropolis Rally in Greece three months ago. Although he’s tackled selected national events in Argentina and Austria, the 27-year-old has also been keeping his hand in by practicing in a 250cc kart at a one-kilometre circuit in his home city of Salvador.

“The idea was not to be inactive,” said Oliveira. “Being away from the team does not allow me to do tests and I need to have an alternative as preparation. Karting is very special and helps me to get into a rhythm quickly. It’s great as my practice and has helped me to get in shape for Germany, a really fast rally with very dirty corners where we are always correcting the car.”

In terms of his approach on ADAC Rallye Deutschland this week, Oliveira plans to adopt a degree of caution as he hunts down a strong finish in the Stohl Racing-run Ford Fiesta RS WRC he shares with Portuguese co-driver Carlos Magalhaes.

“All you may have heard about the different sorts of asphalt you will find during this event it’s true,” he said. “You have to pay a lot of attention, stick to your pace notes and never forget how difficult this event could be.”