Ferreira aiming to ‘grow step-by-step’ after committing to full season in Euro RX3

A late starter in the sport, Ferreira made his rallycross debut in the domestic series’ A1600 division in 2018, initially behind the wheel of a Peugeot 106 before switching to a Super1600 category Peugeot 208. 

From 2019 to 2025, the Lousada native placed inside the top three in the title table on multiple occasions in both the Portuguese Rallycross Championship and Portuguese Rallycross Cup – while simultaneously making sporadic appearances in his home round on the European scene.

Following a trio of Euro RX3 outings at Montalegre – highlighted by progression to the semi-finals in 2023 – Ferreira boldly decided to ‘step out of his comfort zone’ last year by tackling one of the world’s most legendary rallycross circuits. 

The eighth-quickest time in the 15-strong field in Q1 at Höljes and an excellent fourth-fastest run in Q3 catapulted the 38-year-old into the semi-finals once again. Having taken the chequered flag third after a last lap doorhandle-to-doorhandle duel with Nicolas Geleyns, a black flag penalty for race-winner Markus Røsrud then promoted him to the second row of the grid for the all-important final. 

A slow start prompted an early joker call – and it would prove to be a masterstroke, enabling Ferreira to overhaul Dominik Senegacnik, Libor Teješ and Václav Tuma as he expertly mastered the treacherous track surface. 

Despite subsequently finding himself re-passed by Senegacnik, the stewards ruled that the Austrian had made excessive contact in his overtaking move and duly reversed the positions, elevating the Peugeot driver onto the podium.

“My experience at Höljes exceeded all expectations,” he acknowledged. “We decided to step out of our comfort zone and test our strength in a different setting than we were used to. It was a strategic choice, as after several years of competing only in the Euro RX3 event in Portugal, I wanted to understand where I really stood in relation to the European drivers.

“The weather was extremely challenging, especially with the track constantly changing, but we managed to be competitive from the start. Honestly, I didn’t expect to be fighting for the podium first time out at that circuit. It was a result that gave us a lot of confidence and showed we are on the right track, and that weekend had a huge impact on our decision to enter a full season in the European Rallycross Championship in 2026.

“This is the fulfilment of a goal I have been working towards for several years. In order to develop as a driver, I know I need to challenge myself against the best in Europe. Euro RX3 is extremely competitive, but I believe we have the pace, structure and maturity to be in the mix.”

Having since traded his Peugeot for a Ford Fiesta, Ferreira is excited to get to grips with four new tracks – Rīga’s historic Biķernieku trase, Nyirád in Hungary, Mondello Park in Ireland and the iconic French circuit of Lohéac – while making the most of his knowledge of the two he has already driven.

“My goals for the season are clear – to consistently reach the final and, whenever possible, fight for the podium,” asserted the Portuguese star. “I know it will be extremely difficult, since the level is very high, the tracks are very different from one another and many drivers have a lot of experience on them. 

“Aside from Lousada and Höljes, the rest of the venues are unknown to us – we have only seen them through videos. That makes the challenge even greater and there will clearly be a lot of learning to do during the year, but I see it as a process. The expectation is to grow step-by-step and finish the season knowing that I have evolved as a driver and we have evolved as a team. 

“To conclude the campaign at Lousada is just the cherry on top. That was the circuit where I really started to enjoy rallycross, where I first felt the intensity of the adrenaline rush at every start and the passion that only this sport can awaken – in front, of course, of the best crowd anywhere in the world. The energy in the stands, the noise, the emotion, the constant support – it was impossible not to fall in love with that atmosphere. 

“For me, Lousada is not just another round on the calendar. It’s where it all began...”