After a disjointed, shortened season in 2020, the WRC is back with a bang this year. We have 12 races on the schedule for 2021, with 3 of them already in the books. It is a cast of familiar faces at the top of the driver standings at the moment, but with so many races still to come, now is not the time to take anything for granted. This weekend, the action shifts to Portugal for the next rally on the calendar. The favorites for this race are as you might expect, but there is always the possibility that a dark horse will spring up and get the win. Let’s take a closer look at the favorites for the 2021 Vodafone Rally de Portugal so you can make your bets against their WRC odds.
2021 Vodafone Rally de Portugal Odds Analysis | WRC Betting
Sebastien Ogier (+160)
There has been no driver more dominant in the sport than Ogier, and he is showing zero sign of slowing down this year. Since 2013, Ogier has won every world championship except for the 2019 season, where he finished 3rd overall. It is the type of dominance that we have seen from Lewis Hamilton in F1, but the WRC does not get the same number of headlines as Formula 1. He has made a fantastic start to the 2021 season, winning 2 of the 3 races to this point. He had a disappointing showing wedged in the middle of those two victories, but he has still done enough to be on top right now. He last won in Portugal in 2017, so he may be beatable here.
Ott Tanak (+180)
The one time that Ogier did not win the world championship since 2013 came in 2019, which was when Tanak forged his way to the top. The Estonian driver has been no worse than 3rd overall since 2017, which should tell you that he is always there or thereabouts at the end of the season. His 2021 campaign started exactly the way it went last year, which was being forced to retire in the opening race of the season in Monte Carlo. He bounced back from that with a win and followed that up with a 4th last time out. Tanak won the Portugal Rally the last time it was run in 2019.
Thierry Neuville (+300)
Winning a world championship requires a high level of consistency, which is exactly what Thierry Neuville is delivering this season. He has finished 3rd in each of the 3 races this season, which is good enough to have him sitting 2nd overall. He is going to need to turn some of those close calls into wins if he is to win a championship. Neuville has not won since the opening race of the 2020 season, so no guarantees there. He has a win and two 2nd place finishes in Portugal in the last 3 races, so he has a shot here.
Elfyn Evans (+400)
While others struggled with the setup in 2020, Evans took advantage of the situation to deliver his best ever season, finishing 2nd overall. He had a pair of wins in 2020, and while he is still looking for that first victory this year, Evans is knocking on the door. He has finished 2nd twice and took a 5th place finish in his other rally. His best finish in Portugal was a 2nd back in 2018, so he may be considered a bit of a longshot heading into this weekend.
