2025
Sébastien Ogier returned to the top of the EKO Acropolis Rally, claiming his second victory at the legendary “Rally of Gods” 15 years after his maiden triumph in Greece. In an event that pushed both crews and machinery to their limits, the nine-time FIA World Rally Champion combined speed, strategy and reliability to secure victory in round 8 of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship.
The four-day EKO Acropolis Rally was the season's toughest round, with relentless Greek gravel demanding constant focus. Success depended on pace and balancing attack with car preservation. No crew mastered that balance better than Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais. The Toyota GAZOO Racing pair stayed among the front-runners, managed their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 flawlessly, and finished without a puncture despite the demanding EKO Acropolis Rally.
Ogier’s victory was anything but straightforward. The battle for the lead was settled on the penultimate special stage, when only 1.3 seconds separated him from Thierry Neuville at the start. Two consecutive punctures on the Belgian’s Hyundai i20 N Rally1 ultimately ended his hopes of victory. Nevertheless, Neuville made it to the finish ramp and secured second place overall.
Takamoto Katsuta completed the podium in another Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. The Japanese driver expertly managed the disadvantage of running second on the road on the opening day, stayed clear of trouble thereafter, and claimed his fourth podium finish of the season, while also reducing the gap to championship leader Elfyn Evans.
An equally intense battle for fourth place unfolded between Joshua McErlean, Adrien Fourmaux and Sami Pajari. The M-Sport Ford driver emerged victorious, recording the best WRC result of his career to date. Pajari finished fifth after a strong performance in the Wolf Power Stage.
Fourmaux, meanwhile, was unable to convert his impressive pace into a top result. Despite setting several competitive stage times, a series of punctures on his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 - the final one on the Wolf Power Stage - denied him the chance to fight for a higher position. Elfyn Evans finished eighth overall, surrendering valuable ground in the championship standings.
The battle for WRC2 was equally dramatic. Andreas Mikkelsen, who started the final day as category leader, suffered a puncture on Sunday’s opening stage, losing valuable time and, with it, the lead. Robert Virves capitalised on the opportunity to claim victory in his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, securing his second WRC2 win after his triumph at Safari Rally. Mikkelsen finished second, ahead of Alejandro Cachón in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. The Spaniard had been locked in a close fight with compatriot Jan Solans until Solans suffered a puncture on stage 14.
For the second year in a row, Ιοannis Plagos was the top Greek driver, driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. He overcame gearbox issues and pressure from Nondas Karanikolas to win by 1.3 seconds. Efthymis Chalkias finished third.
In WRC3, the top three stayed the same, with Matteo Fontana winning ahead of Tymek Abramowski. The podium was rounded out by Greeks of “Flandy” and Kostas Stefanis. For the highly experienced co-driver, this was his 31st Acropolis Rally.
The 2026 edition combined the Acropolis Rally’s rich heritage with a number of new initiatives, from an expanded route and brand-new stages to the EKO Super Special Stage at The Ellinikon Sports Park and the sea transfer of crews and rally cars. As another memorable chapter came to a close, the Acropolis Rally once again reminded everyone why it remains one of the most demanding and distinctive events on the FIA World Rally Championship calendar.
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