History 2000s

2009 Rally de Portugal (Portugal)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2009 Rally de Portugal (Portugal)

Date: April 2–5, 2009

Start Location: Faro, Algarve

Finish Location: Faro, Algarve

Total Distance: ~1,361.15 km

Competitive Stages: 361.36 km

Surface: Gravel

Returning to the WRC calendar after an eight-year absence, Rally de Portugal delighted fans with its flowing, technical gravel stages along the Algarve coastline. Loeb once again proved untouchable, taking control early and keeping rivals at bay for another commanding win.

Route

Santa Clara: A mix of fast straights and slow technical sections, challenging both pace and precision.
Almodôvar: Known for its constant elevation changes and sweeping gravel curves.
Vascão: Tight and twisty, demanding perfect car placement between rocky outcrops.

The rally featured scenic yet punishing gravel roads, with some stages winding along cliff edges overlooking the Atlantic. Key stages included:

Dust lingered in the air despite the coastal breezes, making visibility management crucial for chasing cars.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën C4 WRC
2nd Place
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 08
3rd Place
Dani Sordo & Marc Martí · Citroën C4 WRC

Loeb’s opening stage pace set the tone for the weekend. Hirvonen kept the pressure on but couldn’t match Loeb’s consistency in the tightest technical sections, while Sordo delivered a solid performance to secure the final podium spot.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Dust Clouds: Limited visibility in hot, dry conditions — critical for co-drivers to anticipate hazards.
  • Cliffside Roads: Narrow margins for error on high-speed cliffside stretches.
  • Mixed Gravel Types: Some sections featured hard-packed surfaces, others deep loose gravel — requiring constant driving adjustments.

With his fourth win of the season, Loeb not only tightened his grip on the championship but also sent a clear message to rivals: in 2009, he was the man to beat on any surface, anywhere.

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