Sousa aims to battle for Azores podium

Bernardo Sousa insists he won’t simply chase Portuguese championship points on Sata Rallye Açores but will fight for a podium finish on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.

The 22-year-old Portuguese, who has dominated his domestic championship this season in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000, is making his first appearance in the IRC this season.

He said: “Of course the Portuguese championship is the main goal but I am not going to say I won’t fight for a podium of an IRC event, especially in the Azores because I like very much this event. I have shown I have the pace on Super 2000 World Rally Championship events and I am quite sure I can be at the front of this rally.”

Sousa ranks Sata Rallye Açores as one of his favourite events, adding: “It’s a very difficult rally, not easy for sure. You have to be precise because the roads are quite narrow. The weather forecast is always changing and you have to always be waiting for the forecast for the tyres and the pacenotes.”