Junior WRC
Portugal perfection for Gill in FIA Junior WRC
Taylor Gill kept his cool on at Rally de Portugal to claim back-to-back FIA Junior WRC victories and draw level with Mille Johansson in the championship standing,
The Australian, co-driven by Daniel Brkíc, maintained a calm and consistent approach throughout Sunday’s six-stage final leg – showing the same composure that had defined his entire week. Starting the day with a 45.5sec advantage, Gill managed his lead perfectly to secure victory by 13.4sec over Johansson.
Gill took control 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 back foot for the remainder of the event.
Despite the setback, Johansson mounted a ferocious comeback – clocking 13 fastest times across the rally. While it wasn’t enough to overhaul Gill, those stage wins proved vital. With bonus points awarded for each stage victory, the pair now sit level on 59 points apiece after round two of five.
Türkiye’s Kerem Kazaz delivered a breakthrough performance to claim third overall. Contesting just his second Junior WRC round, the 19-year-old impressed in his M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3, finishing almost half a minute clear of Thomas Martens.
Johansson clocked 13 stage wins
© WRC
Martens, also in his rookie season, gained a position on the Wolf Power Stage by overtaking South African driver Max Smart. Just 4.3sec separated the duo at the finish.
Estonian driver Joosep Nõgene completed the rally in sixth, while Eamonn Kelly bounced back from a puncture on Friday to win a stage on Sunday and finish seventh. Diego Domínguez damaged his suspension on Friday but battled through to the end in eighth.
Despite early troubles, Ali Türkkan, Tristan Charpentier and Claire Schönborn all made it to the finish – locking out positions ninth to 11th. Gill also took victory in the WRC3 category.
