Kris Meeke is actually third in the Portuguese championship, despite winning five of seven rallies so far
Photography by André Lavadinho
Words by David Evans, DirtFish Head of Media
Next month’s Portuguese championship decider will be a three-way, winner-takes-all shootout as Kris Meeke, Dani Sordo and Armindo Araújo go head-to-head on the all-asphalt finale.
Based on the roads just south of Figueira da Foz, Rallye Vidreiro Centro de Portugal (October 17/18) will provide a two-day, nine-stage climax to what’s been a thrilling season.
Despite not having won a round of this year’s series, it’s local driver Araújo who heads the standings in his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. Sordo is second with Meeke in close attendance in third.
The precise mathematics of the job remain unclear with the results of the June’s Rali de Castelo Branco still undecided following fuel analysis across the whole field, but for Toyota driver Meeke the approach couldn’t be more straightforward.
“I’ve got no idea on what’s going on with the fuel thing,” the defending champion told DirtFish. “For me it’s straightforward, the approach doesn’t change: if I win, I win the championship.”
Sordo has won the two events Meeke hasn't won - both on Tarmac
And Meeke has won five times already this year. In fact, the penultimate round aside, he’s finished the final stage of every rally in P1; he lost one win with a penalty and another one when suspension issues meant he couldn’t get back to the Matosinhos finish of Rally de Portugal.
“When you have dropped scores in a championship, it can be difficult,” added Meeke. “But, like I said, the final round is clear. To win, you have to win. And when we’ve had everything working right, the pace hasn’t been an issue – I’m confident that’ll be the case again.
“For Dani, if he wants to win this thing, he has to find a bit more…”
There’s a pause, a breath drawn. Meeke knows what he’s just said, knows he’s just piled a bit more pressure on his friend and Hyundai-driving rival.
“Look,” he laughed, “this year has been a lot of fun and no doubt the last round will be the same. We just need a clean weekend.”
Asked if he would like to return to the series next season, the five-time World Rally winner said: “I love it out there. I love the family atmosphere, the people, the roads, the rallies, everything about it is just mega. And the car’s been fantastic. The Yaris is something else, the best chassis I’ve ever driven and I would have absolutely no qualms about coming back and doing it all again.”
In a further boost for Portugal’s final round, the organizers have agreed terms for Rally Series Promoter – the successful fledgling championship headed up by renowned rally photographer André Lavadinho – to partner with the event. The move means the adoption of the fan-friendly arena format, with a stage finishing inside the Expocentro Pombal in the service park.
A Rally Series Promoter spokesperson said: “It is a great responsibility to receive the trust of [event organizer] CAMG, an institution with 55 years of history and an undeniable legacy in Portuguese rallying. Our commitment is to work side-by-side to elevate Rallye Vidreiro to a new level of promotion, enhancing the drivers’ experience as well as the fans and sponsors alike – while always respecting the sporting essence of the event.”
Words:David Evans
Tags: Armindo Araújo, Dani Sordo, Kris Meeke, Portuguese Rally Championship
Publish Date September 27, 2025 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2025/09/Uove7prg-525557864_18059577989586633_109507221838687464_n-780x520.jpg September 27, 2025
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