Ogier wins the Acropolis Rally

Sébastien Ogier wins the Rally of the Acropolis ahead of Sébastien Loeb of 10??5. The winner respected the strategy of his team, which told him the reference time for the last special of the second stage in order to let Sébastien Loeb lead the way. The Alsatian did not appreciate the maneuver (see here) and will have even more regrets after Sébastien Ogier's first place in the Power Stage, who is ahead of the World Champion by only nine thousandths.

But Sébastien Loeb can console himself with his second place which was in danger following the impressive return of Mikko Hirvonen. The Ford driver finally reached the last step of the podium, failing just three seconds behind the DS3 WRC of the seven-time World Champion.

Petter Solberg may be disappointed with his fourth place. The Citroën privateer was a solid leader of the Acropolis Rally, almost a minute ahead of his closest pursuer. But the Norwegian fell in the rankings, unable to keep up with the leaders.

Jari-Matti Latvala may also harbor regrets. The Ford driver was in second position in the event when the front differential on his Fiesta RS WRC failed on the second stage, dropping him in the standings. The Flying Finn finished in a disappointing ninth place, behind Kimi Räikkönen and Juho Hänninen, winner of the S-WRC in his Skoda Fabia S2000.

Find the report on the Acropolis Rally in the next issue of AUTOhebdo, on sale next Wednesday.