WRC: Tanak finally puts Hyundai on the board in Greece

Pre-Rally: The Stage is Set for a Greek Epic

Championship Battle Heats Up as WRC Returns to the ‘Rally of Gods’

The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship arrived in Greece for its seventh round, the legendary Acropolis Rally, with the season finely poised and anticipation at fever pitch. Known universally as the ‘Rally of Gods’, the Acropolis is revered—and feared—for its punishing gravel roads, searing summer heat, and the relentless attrition it inflicts on both car and crew. The event’s reputation as a true test of endurance and skill remains undimmed, and with the championship lead delicately balanced, every point was set to count

This year, the rally’s base remained in Lamia, with the ceremonial start once again staged beneath the iconic Acropolis in Athens. The route comprised 17 stages and over 345 competitive kilometres, winding through the mountains north of the capital. The entry list boasted the full roster of Rally1 contenders, with Hyundai, Toyota, and M-Sport Ford all fielding their strongest line-ups. The focus, however, was on the championship protagonists: Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, and Ott Tänak, each determined to seize momentum at this pivotal juncture in the season

Key talking points before the start included:

• Weather Forecasts predicted soaring temperatures, with ambient highs exceeding 40°C, promising a severe test for both machinery and human resilience
• Road Conditions The Greek gravel stages are notorious for loose stones, jagged bedrock, and deep ruts—conditions that can turn minor errors into rally-ending incidents
• Championship Context Evans led the standings, but Ogier and Tänak were in close pursuit, and the Acropolis has a habit of upending the established order
• Tyre Strategy With Hankook once again supplying tyres, teams faced difficult choices between durability and outright performance

Friday: Attrition and Opportunity

Ogier Leads Early, Tänak Strikes Back as Heat and Gravel Take Their Toll

The rally began in earnest on Thursday evening with a super special stage in Athens, where Sébastien Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta shared fastest time honours. However, the real action commenced on Friday, as crews tackled the first full day of stages west of the capital

Friday’s itinerary featured two passes of the demanding Aghii Theodori stage, followed by a remote service in Loutraki and three further stages—each run only once—before returning to Lamia. The day was defined by:

Rough Roads The opening stages quickly lived up to their reputation, with loose gravel and embedded rocks causing punctures and mechanical issues across the field

• Ogier’s Early Pace Ogier set the tone by winning both morning stages, building a 6.1-second lead over Tänak. His performance was all the more impressive given his road position, running second and helping to clear a line for those behind
• Evans’ Challenge As championship leader, Evans was first on the road and suffered the worst of the loose surface. He also picked up damage from an impact on stage four, but quick work by his mechanics in remote service kept him in contention. He ended the day in fourth, a testament to his consistency and composure
• Incidents and Recovery Both Katsuta and Rovanperä lost significant time after being forced to stop and change wheels, highlighting the ever-present threat posed by the Acropolis

By the close of play, Tänak had edged into a slender lead, with Ogier and Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux in close attendance. The leaderboard remained tightly packed, but the day’s attrition had already claimed several high-profile victims, underlining the rally’s unforgiving nature

Saturday: Tänak Dominates as Errors Multiply

Tänak Pulls Clear Amidst Chaos as Rivals Falter on Brutal Greek Stages

Saturday’s route was the longest of the rally, comprising two loops of three stages through the mountainous terrain south of Lamia. If Friday had been a test of endurance, Saturday was a full-scale examination of resilience, precision, and nerve

Key developments included:

• Tänak’s Command Starting the day in a close battle with his Hyundai team-mate, Tänak delivered a masterclass in pace and control. He capitalised on others’ misfortune and errors, ending the day with a commanding lead of nearly 50 seconds over Ogier
• Driver Errors The punishing conditions led to a litany of mistakes, with several drivers—most notably Katsuta and Rovanperä—falling foul of the narrow, twisty roads. Both Toyota drivers ran wide on stage eleven, became stuck, and were forced to retire for the day, illustrating just how little margin for error the Acropolis allows
• Ogier’s Recovery Despite losing time to Tänak, Ogier managed his road position well, limiting his losses and moving up to second overall after a rival suffered vehicle damage. His measured approach kept him in the hunt for maximum points
• Evans Consolidates Evans maintained a strong, mistake-free rhythm, strengthening his grip on fourth place and keeping his championship ambitions alive
• WRC2 Drama The WRC2 category was no less dramatic, with Oliver Solberg extending his lead despite suffering a puncture. The day was marked by further attrition, with podium contenders forced into damage limitation mode8.

By Saturday evening, the rally’s attritional nature was evident: Tänak stood on the brink of his first win of the season, while Ogier and Evans continued to collect valuable championship points in the face of adversity

Sunday: Tänak Triumphs, Ogier and Evans Salvage Points

Tänak Seals Victory as Ogier and Evans Shine in Power Stage Showdown

The final day dawned with Tänak holding a comfortable buffer over Ogier, but with the Acropolis, nothing is ever certain until the finish line is crossed. Sunday’s stages were no less demanding, with the championship protagonists focused on maximising their points haul

Highlights of the day:

• Tänak’s VictoryFar from backing off, Tänak continued to push, extending his lead and delivering Hyundai’s first win of the 2025 season. His performance across the weekend was a blend of speed, discipline, and tactical nous—qualities essential for conquering the Acropolis

• Ogier’s Power Stage Brilliance: Although a third consecutive rally win was out of reach, Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais excelled on Sunday, winning both the penultimate stage and the rally-ending Power Stage. Their efforts secured maximum bonus points, consolidating Ogier’s position in the championship

• Evans’ Consistency Evans finished fourth overall, maintaining his championship lead by nine points. His calm, collected approach throughout the rally—especially when running first on the road—paid dividends in the title race
• Toyota’s Mixed Fortunes Rovanperä and Katsuta returned to action after their Saturday retirements, with Rovanperä salvaging Power Stage points. Pajari, after a technical issue on Friday, also completed the rally and gained valuable experience
• WRC2 Conclusion Oliver Solberg secured a third WRC2 win of the season in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, finishing sixth overall and taking the class points lead. The WRC2 podium was rounded out by Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Alejandro Cachón, both also in GR Yaris Rally2 machinery

Final Standings (Top Five)

Reflections and Implications

The 2025 Acropolis Rally reinforced its reputation as the WRC’s ultimate test of man and machine. Tänak’s victory was both a personal and team triumph, breaking Hyundai’s winless streak and reigniting his championship challenge. Ogier’s measured drive and Power Stage heroics kept him firmly in the title hunt, while Evans’ consistency ensured he retained the points lead at the halfway stage of the season.

Toyota’s grip on the manufacturers’ championship remains robust, despite missing out on victory for the first time this year. The rally also showcased the depth of talent in the WRC2 category, with Solberg’s performance hinting at a bright future.

As the dust settles in Lamia, the championship battle is poised for a thrilling second half, with everything still to play for. The Acropolis, as ever, has left its mark—on the standings, on the cars, and on the minds of all who braved its formidable stages.