Rovanperä surrenders Rally de Portugal lead after Saturday morning roll

Having claimed a commanding win in Saturday's opening stage at Felgueiras, Rovanperä seemed poised to further solidify his lead at this fifth round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship.

However, the 23-year-old's aspirations came crashing down in the Montim stage when he misjudged a fast right-hander over a crest, clipping a tree on the outside which sent his Toyota GR Yaris into a roll.

Rovanperä and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen emerged unscathed from the incident but will take no further part in today's proceedings.

Further drama unfolded as Oliver Solberg, who led the WRC2 category overnight, suffered a similar fate. Shortly after passing Rovanperä's stricken car, the Swede veered wide on a right-hand corner and rolled his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.

With Rovanperä and Solberg sidelined, Sébastien Ogier took the rally lead while Yohan Rossel swooped to the top spot in WRC2.