Thierry Neuville is closing in on his first FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) crown after delivering a stellar performance to win the grueling 2024 EKO Acropolis Rally Greece.
The Belgian ace led an emphatic Hyundai Motorsport 1-2-3 finish, with teammates Dani Sordo and Ott Tänak joining him on the podium. Neuville’s triumph wasn’t just a show of skill; it was a masterclass in survival, as the treacherous Greek terrain wreaked havoc on the field. His chief title rival, Sébastien Ogier, was on course to secure second but suffered a dramatic roll in the Wolf Power Stage, a blow that could change the trajectory of the championship.
Ogier’s Toyota GR Yaris toppled after a heavy landing, and while the Frenchman managed to get back on four wheels and finish the rally, the damage was done. Losing more than 20 minutes in the chaos, Ogier plummeted down the standings. Despite his heroic efforts, including racking up 15 critical points on Saturday, his title hopes took a significant hit.
Early Drama Sets the Stage
Ogier had looked like the man to beat, seizing the early lead. However, a turbocharger failure on Friday afternoon knocked him off the top spot. It was a reminder of just how punishing the Acropolis Rally can be. Hyundai’s Sordo and Tänak were also victims of the rally’s brutality, both suffering tyre damage on Saturday that effectively dashed their chances of victory.
Neuville, however, played it smart. After his Hyundai i20 N was struck by a misfiring engine on the opening day, he and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe adjusted their approach. Opting for caution over all-out speed, they navigated the carnage with a calculated strategy that saw them rise to the top when others faltered.
Neuville Extends Championship Lead
With his rivals dropping like flies, Neuville’s calm under pressure paid off. His victory extends his lead in the drivers’ standings to 34 points over Tänak, while Ogier’s misfortune sees him fall to third. With only three rounds remaining and 90 points still up for grabs, the title is by no means decided, but Neuville’s Acropolis victory has put him firmly in the driver’s seat.
Hyundai’s manufacturers’ championship prospects also received a major boost, with the Korean outfit now sitting 35 points clear of Toyota. Tänak’s second-place finish earned him 11 out of a possible 12 points on Super Sunday and marked his 50th WRC podium, a milestone for the Estonian as he leapfrogs Ogier in the standings.
Other Title Contenders Stumble
Elfyn Evans’ hopes of staying in the title fight crumbled after he rolled his Toyota late on Saturday. It was a devastating blow for the Welshman, whose title aspirations now hang by a thread. Meanwhile, M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster also rejoined under restart rules after their own incidents, underscoring just how punishing this year’s Acropolis Rally proved to be.
Pajari Snatches WRC2 Victory on Countback
The relentless nature of the Acropolis also saw WRC2 drivers occupy key spots in the overall standings. Sami Pajari’s Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 not only clinched WRC2 victory but also took fourth place overall. Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen edged out Robert Virves (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) on a countback, both drivers finishing level on time but Pajari’s quicker SS1 time securing him the win.
Yohan Rossel (Citroën C3), Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Škoda Fabia RS), and a host of Škoda drivers—Fau Zaldivar, Josh McErlean, and Roberto Daprà—rounded out the top 10, capitalizing on the misfortunes that plagued the top-tier contenders.
Masters Glory for Kremer
In the WRC Masters Cup, veteran Armin Kremer, with daughter Ella co-driving, sealed the series title in style. Their Škoda Fabia RS dominated the Masters category, securing their fifth win from five starts and capping off a perfect season.
WRC Acropolis Rally Greece Overall Results:
01: T. Neuville/M. Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) – 3h 38m 04.2s
02: D. Sordo/C. Carrera (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) +1m 46.8s
03: O. Tänak/M. Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) +2m 57.3s
04: S. Pajari/E. Mälkönen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +7m 01.1s
05: R. Virves/A. Lesk (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +7m 01.1s
06: Y. Rossel/F. Barral (Citroën C3 Rally2) +7m 31.9s
07: K. Kajetanowicz/M. Szczepaniak (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +9m 54.0s
08: F. Zaldivar/M. Der Ohannesian (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +11m 27.9s
09 J. McErlean/J. Fulton (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +12m 27.2s
10: R. Daprà/L. Guglielmetti (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +13m 44.9s
WRC Drivers Standings:
01: Thierry Neuville – 192 points
02: Ott Tänak – 158
03: Sébastien Ogier – 154
04: Elfyn Evans – 140
05: Adrien Fourmaux – 130
06: Kalle Rovanperä – 86
07: Takamoto Katsuta – 80
08: Dani Sordo – 44
09: Sami Pajari – 34
10: Esapekka Lappi – 33
WRC Manufacturers Standings:
01: Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team – 413 points
02: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team – 388
03: M-Sport Ford World Rally Team – 215
WRC Heads to Rally Chile
The WRC caravan now heads to South America for round 11 at Rally Chile Bio Bío, based in Concepción from 26 – 29 September. With the championship fight heating up, all eyes will be on Neuville as he looks to consolidate his lead and inch closer to his long-awaited WRC title.
* Photos by Red Bull Content Pool and Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team.