After a high-speed hat-trick of victories in Poland, Latvia, and Finland, the Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID is set to face a different kind of challenge as it returns to the rough and rocky roads of Greece for the Acropolis Rally. This event marks the tenth round of the 2024 WRC season and is the penultimate gravel rally of the championship, making it a crucial stage in the battle for both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles.
Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) has been in stellar form, leading the manufacturers’ title race until a series of unfortunate events on the final day in Finland saw them slip behind. They now find themselves 20 points adrift of the leading Hyundai Motorsport, but with the momentum of recent wins, they are poised to close the gap.
Sébastien Ogier, fresh off a victory in Finland, has surged up the drivers’ championship standings to second place. The Frenchman, renowned for his ability to master challenging conditions, will be a key contender this weekend as he leads TGR-WRT’s charge at the Acropolis Rally. The rally, famed for its rocky mountain roads and punishing conditions, is set to test cars, tyres, and crews to their limits.
The Acropolis Rally, a legendary event in the WRC calendar, returned in 2021 after an eight-year hiatus. This year’s rally will again be based in Lamia, located around 200 kilometers northwest of Athens. The event will cover a total of 305.30 kilometers across 15 stages, with the route offering a mix of classic Acropolis challenges and new twists.
The rally kicks off from Lamia on Friday morning, where crews will face two loops of three stages in the surrounding mountains, separated by a mid-day service. The competition heats up on Saturday with a marathon day that will push teams to their limits. Crews will be on the road for 16 hours, travelling as far south as Loutraki on the Gulf of Corinth. The day includes five gravel stages – four unique and one repeated – culminating in a super special stage as they head back to Lamia.
Sunday will see the rally’s final three stages, with the second pass of Eleftherohori (18.29km) serving as the all-important Power Stage. This will be a key opportunity for teams to secure vital points in both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships.
Hyundai Motorsport, currently leading the manufacturers’ standings, will be looking to extend their advantage in Greece. Their performance in Finland saw them extend their lead in both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships by 27 and 20 points, respectively. With just a few rounds left in the season, the Acropolis Rally is set to be a pivotal event in the race for the WRC titles.
M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux, building in confidence and speed, is should also not be discounted for a podium in his Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1. He’ll be chasing a remarkable fifth podium of the 2024 series this weekend.
As the dust settles in Greece, the championship picture will become clearer. For now, all eyes are on the Acropolis Rally, where the toughest roads in rallying await.
