Ogier and Fourmaux lead the Acropolis Rally, two Toyotas already on the floor

After the first three stages of the Acropolis Rally (Greece), Sébastien Ogier leads the way ahead of Adrien Fourmaux. Thierry Neuville lost time due to an engine problem, while Elfyn Evans has already said goodbye to victory.

Published on 06/09/2024 à 11:39

Dorian Grangier

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Ogier and Fourmaux lead the Acropolis Rally, two Toyotas already on the floor

For the moment, Sébastien Ogier gives reason to Toyota ! The Frenchman, who will finish the season of WRC to help the Japanese team in its quest for world titles, is leading the Rally of the Acropolis after the first three special stages. Author of two scratch times this Friday morning, the Gapençais broke away in SS3 thanks to a great time in the emblematic Tarzan special stage. An almost perfect morning in particular thanks to a bold tire choice with three soft tires which paid off.
After SS3, it was even a French double at the head of the Acropolis Rally sinceAdrien fourmaux points to 2nd place! The Northerner had a more than solid morning, playing in the best times… despite the absence of hybrid on the entire loop! After three specials, the driver M-Sport is only 5″9 behind his compatriot. Ott Tänak completes the Top 3 with 9″8 behind Sébastien Ogier.
A complicated start to the rally for Thierry Neuville. In addition to having the thankless task of opening the road in Greece, the Belgian had to deal with an engine problem on the first two special stages, with a recalcitrant cylinder on his HyundaiA lack of power that cost him time: at midday, the championship leader was already 35″7 behind Sébastien Ogier, his closest (and dangerous) rival in the Drivers' standings.
Apart from Sébastien Ogier, there has already been a massacre at Toyota, which did well to call on the Frenchman to help. The two season starters lost all chance of victory in Greece. After suffering a puncture in SS1, Elfyn Evans then encountered a technical problem and had to drive slowly on the other two stages of the morning, conceding a significant delay of nine minutes after only three stages! Takamoto Katsuta, however, had started the rally well by setting the scratch on SS2… but in the following stage, the Japanese driver tore a wheel off his Yaris and had to retire.
Two Frenchmen in the lead in Rally1… and another Frenchman in the lead in Rally2! Yohan Rossel dominates the WRC2 category this Friday morning and has a nice lead of 24″3 over Sami Pajari, one of his main competitors for the title. Pierre-Louis Loubet, for his part, retired in SS1 after going off the track.