Ott Tänak made a fierce statement at the 2025 Acropolis Rally Greece, storming through Saturday with power, poise, and a purpose. He ended the day leading by 43.6 seconds, giving Hyundai its best shot yet at a first win this WRC season.
Tänak Dominates 2025 Acropolis Rally Greece Saturday
From the moment the sun rose over central Greece, Tänak took control. Starting the day with a modest 3.0-second gap, he proceeded to win five out of six stages.
As the roads crumbled and the temperature soared, his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 stayed composed. Tänak now stands on the brink of victory, his first since last October.
Power, Performance, and Precision Under Pressure
The Estonian ace mastered punishing conditions while rivals faltered. His car’s setup was spot-on, and his pace unmatched.
With every stage, the gap widened. Tänak even admitted that road position helped, but the clean execution made the biggest difference.
Ogier Plays It Smart, Fourmaux Battles Drama
Sébastien Ogier focused on surviving the day rather than winning it. He grabbed one stage win but chose not to chase Tänak aggressively.
Adrien Fourmaux wasn’t as lucky. After hitting a rock and suffering suspension damage, his promising run took a hit. Despite further tyre trouble, he clung to third.
Evans, Neuville, and a Brutal Rally for Many
Elfyn Evans drove cautiously, avoiding risks and staying consistent in fourth. Championship pressure from behind kept him alert, especially with Thierry Neuville chasing.
Neuville endured more hardship. After three punctures so far, he sits in fifth, still struggling to claw back time.
Toyota Faces Tough Day as Rivals Falter
Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta both retired after off-road moments in SS11. Toyota saw its driver lineup cut in half, suffering a serious blow in Greece.
Meanwhile, Grégoire Munster held onto sixth place despite brake issues. In WRC2, Oliver Solberg comfortably led ahead of Gus Greensmith and others.
All Eyes on the Final Four Stages
Sunday won’t be easy. The Acropolis still has four punishing stages left, including the legendary Tarzan Wolf Power Stage.
Bonus points could change the championship picture, especially for those like Evans and Neuville. But right now, Tänak holds the advantage, and momentum.
Summary
Ott Tänak delivered one of the most commanding days of the 2025 WRC season. The Acropolis Rally Greece lived up to its reputation, unforgiving, dusty, and unpredictable. Yet Tänak made it look like a masterclass. Hyundai’s victory is now within reach.
Disclaimer: All results and standings are provisional and subject to final confirmation by the FIA.
Source: WRC
