Lindholm finished the WRC Rally Portugal with the fastest time of the Power Stage
24 May 2021
Emil Lindholm, who lost his chance to fight for the podium spot in the WRC3-class already on the opening day of the rally, although gained two days full of important experience for the future and drove the rally-ending Power Stage’s fastest time by 6.4 seconds. The fastest time gave Lindholm five extra points on the World Championship leader board. Lindholm's time was also ranked 11th fastest in the overall competition.
“The last special stage went pretty good but we really pushed it. It would not have been necessary to drive like that to the top of our own class but we decided to go flat out. Five important extra points which hopefully will be needed in the future”, Lindholm smiled.
WRC Vodafone Rally De Portugal started as planned on Friday as Lindholm clocked three top times for each of the four special stages. The Finnish driver was driving in second place in the WRC3-class with 1.5 seconds difference to the top. Lindholm, who took part in rally for the first time, would have been fast enough to battle for winning the WRC3-class.
On the fifth special stage of the rally Lindholm's Škoda’s back tyre emptied and the duo had to replace it in the middle of the special stage. On the sixth special stage the front tyre got punctured but the duo made it to the finish line. In the next road section the pair realized that both rear tyres were also leaking, which meant the rally was done for them and they had to retire.
On the second and third days of the rally Lindholm was driving to gain experience for the future.
“The tyre brand changed to the World Championships for this year which means I may even have to change my driving style. I can’t drive like others or how I have been driving in the previous years. Our car’s settings will also have to be built differently in the future in order to be able to drive in turns with a different style”, Lindholm says.
Lindholm and Hämäläinen will drive their next World Championship Rally in two weeks at WRC Rally Italia Sardegna.
Final Results: WRC Vodafone Rally De Portugal, WRC3-class:
1. Kajetan Kajetanowicz – Maciej Szczepaniak (POL) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo 3:52:49,7
2. Yohan Rossel - Alexandre Coria (FRA) Citroën C3 Rally2 + 5,6
3. Chris Ingram – Ross Whittock (GBR) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo + 55,3
……
10. Emil Lindholm – Reeta Hämäläinen (FIN) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo + 25:16,2
WRC3-class World Championship points:
1. Yohan Rossel (FRA) Citroën 70
2. Kajetan Kajetanowicz (POL) Škoda 56
3. Nicolas Ciamin (FRA) Citroën 49
…
6. Emil Lindholm (FIN) Škoda 26
about
Emil Lindholm
DRIVER
Reeta Hämäläinen
CO-DRIVER
Calendar -25
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24.-27.04.Rally Islas CanariasWRC2
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05.-08.06.Rally Italia SardegnaWRC2
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31.-03.08.Secto Rally FinlandWRC2
partners
Emil Lindholm
+358 500 441 917
emil.lindholm@sebateam.fi