Dani Sordo has been stripped of his 2025 Portuguese Rally Championship title following a ruling by Portugal's Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD). The decision, which overturned the national federation FPAK's earlier declaration, has sent shockwaves through the rally community. Sordo, who dominated the season with 161 points in his Hyundai, beating Kris Meeke by seven points, now sees the title awarded to Armindo Araujo, the highest-placed Portuguese driver who finished third with 137 points.
The dispute centered on Portuguese law, which states that a national title in an individual sport can only be awarded to a Portuguese competitor. Sordo, a Spaniard, and Meeke, a Brit, do not reside in Portugal, while Araujo is a Portuguese citizen living in the country. TAD also emphasized the distinction between winning the competition and securing the national title: a foreign driver can compete, win events, and top the points, but that does not automatically make them Portuguese champion.
Interestingly, a similar case arose in 2024 when Meeke scored the most points. At that time, TAD ruled in favor of Meeke, allowing him to keep the Portuguese title, and FPAK relied on that precedent when crowning Sordo last year. This time, however, the court took a different view, with the majority finding that restricting the national title to a driver with a genuine connection to Portugal does not conflict with the constitution or EU law. The decision was not unanimous; one arbitrator dissented, arguing Sordo should have retained the title.
For Sordo, this is a bitter blow after a stellar season. He consistently outperformed his rivals on the stages, only to lose the title due to legal technicalities. Meanwhile, Araujo, who may not have expected to be champion, now holds the 2025 Portuguese title. The ruling raises questions about regulatory consistency and its impact on foreign drivers competing in Portugal.
Hyundai Portugal is reportedly not taking this lying down. According to Spanish newspaper AS, the team plans to appeal TAD's decision. If successful, Sordo could reclaim the title, but the process may take time. In the meantime, Sordo remains focused on his WRC commitments. This season, he has been a part-time driver for Hyundai and will pilot the third car at the season-ending Rally Sardinia. Despite losing the Portuguese title, Sordo remains a valuable asset for Hyundai in the WRC.
This case highlights the complexities between national regulations and international competition. On one hand, a national title should belong to a driver who truly represents the country. On the other, foreign drivers who excel in national championships often deserve recognition. TAD chose to prioritize citizenship connection, which could set a precedent for other national series. For Sordo, this is a painful chapter, but he still has opportunities to shine on the WRC stage.
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