A commanding performance by Ott Tanak

29 Jun, 2025 19:09

Hyundai's Estonian driver, Ott Tanak, secured the team's first win of the season at the EKO Acropolis Rally 2025. This marked the team’s second consecutive victory on Greek soil and the driver’s maiden triumph at the Acropolis Rally.

The all-new Smokovo stage in Thessaly and the iconic Tarzan, which served as the Power Stage on its second run, set the scene for the final part of an event that returned to a summer slot, restoring its authentic character.

With blistering temperatures, unforgiving terrain, and non-stop mechanical stress, the rally left no room for complacency. From the start, the EKO Acropolis Rally served as a test, highlighting those who could blend speed, adaptability, and -at times- a dash of luck - all essential elements for survival, let alone success, on the Greek stages. Strategy proved pivotal, mistakes were costly, and every second was fought for.

Within this context, Ott Tanak was consistent, fast and precise, carving out his path to a commanding victory. He took control of the rally on Saturday and simply reinforced his dominance on Sunday. The Estonian set the fastest time on 7 of the 17 special stages, a feat that speaks volumes. He entered the final day with a comfortable lead and a clear head, and he left nothing to chance. With two more stage wins and a total haul of 30 points, Tanak sealed a landmark win for himself and for Hyundai's 2025 campaign.

Sebastien Ogier flew the flag for Toyota Gazoo Racing, finishing second overall in his GR Yaris Rally1. The eight-time World Champion managed his pace on Sunday, avoiding any risks that could jeopardise his podium, with the exception of the Power Stage, where he pushed to claim the fastest time. With Tanak in a league of his own and a safe gap to Adrien Fourmaux behind him, Ogier had no reason to push harder.

Fourmaux finished on the podium with another mature and calculated drive—his second top-three finish of the season. Although Elfyn Evans briefly closed the gap after the first Tarzan run, Fourmaux responded with an emphatic stage win on the second Smokovo to regain control. Evans, fourth overall, salvaged the best result he could, considering the time he lost on Friday as road opener. Nevertheless, the British driver retained the lead in the championship standings, albeit by a narrow margin.

If there were a misfortune award, it would surely go to Thierry Neuville. After three punctures dashed any hopes of fighting for victory, the reigning World Champion focused on Sunday points through the Super Sunday classification. However, an engine problem on his Hyundai i20 N halted his progress, leaving him fifth overall.

Sixth finished Oliver Solberg in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, who also clinched an important WRC2 victory that put him at the top of the relevant standings. Seventh overall and second in WRC2 was Gus Greensmith in a Skoda Fabia RS, successfully holding off pressure from Yohan Rossel in the Citroen C3 Rally2.

In JWRC, Ali Turkkan stayed out of trouble to claim his first win in the Junior category.

With a strong competitive edge and a distinct identity, the EKO Acropolis Rally 2025 drew to a close. Its return to the summer slot brought back the tough conditions that really pushed both drivers and machines to their limits, underscoring the unique character of the Greek round of the FIA World Rally Championship. From the competition itself to its final result, this year's Acropolis Rally lived up to its promise: it was demanding, fair, and deeply rooted in its surroundings and the thousands of fans who turned out to support the event.