Thierry Neuville secured a decisive victory in the 2024 Acropolis Rally, strengthening his lead in the World Rally Championship. Despite the issues that affected his Hyundai i20 N during the early stages, Neuville was able to overcome them and manage the risks, avoiding further complications in a rally that was particularly tough for the competitors.
Ogier's crash in the final stage
Neuville's main rival, Sébastien Ogier, suffered a major setback when he rolled his Toyota GR Yaris in the final stage while running in second place. Although Ogier managed to get back on his wheels and finish the rally, the 20-minute loss knocked him out of the top positions, seriously affecting his championship standing.
Hyundai dominates the podium
The Hyundai Motorsport team celebrated a full podium in Greece, with Neuville leading, followed by Dani Sordo and Ott Tänak. Both teammates also faced issues during the rally: Tänak had to stop twice to change tires after suffering punctures, and Sordo was hit by a rock that damaged his car in stage nine. Despite these setbacks, Hyundai managed to secure the top three positions.
Other contenders' struggles
Elfyn Evans, another title contender, also suffered a major setback when he rolled his car on Saturday. Although he rejoined on Sunday, his chances of climbing back were seriously affected. M-Sport Ford drivers Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster also faced difficulties, forcing them to rejoin under restart rules.
WRC2 surprises with Pajari in fourth place
The WRC2 category delivered one of the rally’s biggest surprises, with Sami Pajari not only winning his class but also finishing fourth overall. Pajari edged out Robert Virves after a tie in time, securing the victory with his better performance in the first stage.
Next round in Chile
With a 34-point lead in the drivers' standings, Neuville heads into the next WRC round in Chile, where the challenging South American stages will set the scene for the continuation of this tight season. The Rally Chile Bio Bío will take place from September 26 to 29.
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