The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team has claimed back-to-back podium results in the last two events – Portugal and Sardinia – but returns to the scene of historic results in Greece, one of the most punishing rallies on the WRC schedule. The team reached the pinnacle of performance at the Acropolis Rally in 2022 and 2024, securing a 1-2-3 podium lockout, a feat that it will try to emulate on this year’s visit.
The legend of the Acropolis is known for its gruelling character where high temperatures, rugged terrain and unanticipated obstacles offer a tough test of man and machine. For the first time since its return in 2021, the rally moves from September to its traditional June date – one of the hottest months of the year – intensifying the challenge.
Hyundai Motorsport has turned up the heat in Greece before, balancing risk and reward to take rally honours in one of rallying’s most iconic events. The team will target a repeat performance across 345.76km of rugged gravel roads over a four-day itinerary that takes in well-known stages such as Elatia (SS7, 11.58km) and Tarzan (SS15/17, 23.37km). The action begins with Thursday morning shakedown followed later in the day with the opening timed test in the heart of Athens.
A strong result would help the team’s mission to close the gap to the top of the championship, where it currently faces a 69-point deficit. With Ott Tänak claiming consecutive podiums in Portugal and Sardinia, the Estonian is hoping to extend his streak to a hat-trick in Greece.
Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux are aiming for a return to form on the Greek stages after a disappointing outing in Sardinia. The Belgian driver has recorded three podiums at Acropolis Rally, including two wins from the team’s podium lockouts. Fourmaux’s best finish at the event is seventh, a position he is looking to improve on at this year’s edition.
Hyundai Motorsport President and Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “As we approach the halfway mark of the season, it is important that we make the most of every round going forward. Sardinia was not the reversal of fortunes we were anticipating, and it is no secret that we were expecting better results from that event. Nevertheless, we have kept focused on the task at hand; we’re facing a busy few weeks with multiple rallies, which all have their own unique challenges. Our mission as a team is to get back on the front foot by coupling pace and performance with reliability to score strong results as we look to reduce the gap in the championship standings.”
Crew Notes: Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (#8 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)
Leading Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team crew looking to add to their podium tally
Estonians hunting down championship top three in Greece
Tänak said: “Greece is the final in a row of three rough rallies in a row after Portugal and Sardinia, yet it is very different in comparison. Greece has wider roads, but they’re quite solid. It’s not been super rough in the past couple of years – some stages for sure, but it’s still historically a very demanding rally. This year, with the event moving to June, the heat plays a big part on both us as crews and on the car.”
Crew Notes: Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (#1 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)
Belgians have two victories under their belts in Lamia
Crew searching for redemption after disappointing Rally Italia Sardegna
Neuville said: “Last year in Greece, we secured our second 1-2-3 finish for Hyundai Motorsport – it was a stunning weekend. This year, we know we have a good car. The pace in Sardinia was there but we were really unlucky all weekend. It was frustrating for us not to transform that speed into a podium or a win. We will give it our all in Greece; it will be tough with the heat and we need to make sure we stay out of trouble. It’s rough on the car and the tyres, so we need to manage those elements. My goal is to outscore my opponents, but I would like to build some momentum and return to the podium.”
Crew Notes: Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (#16 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)
Frenchmen looking to improve on recent gravel results
Crew aim to better their previous best finish of seventh
Fourmaux said: “Sardinia taught us what we need to improve on the car for Acropolis Rally, and considering our road position, we need to do everything we can to optimise it. It’s one of the roughest events of the season, and the risk of punctures is really high, so reliability is our biggest priority. Tyre choice can be very difficult, and combined with the abrasive stages, it can be really gruelling. It’s similar to the last round, but it will be even hotter, which is tough for both us and the car. The event itself is great, the atmosphere and fans make it one of the best. We need to be back on form here, we will do everything we can to have a solid weekend.”
Weekend at a Glance
Thursday evening marks the start of the competitive action in Athens with EKO Athens (SS1, 1.50km)
Friday’s marathon includes seven stages: two loops of Aghii Theodori (SS2/4, 26.76km) and single passes through Loutraki (SS3, 12.90km), Thiva (SS5, 19.58km), Stiri (SS6, 24.18km) and Elatia (SS7, 11.58km)
Saturday sees six stages form its itinerary: two runs of Pavliani (SS8/11, 24.58km), Karoutes (SS9/12, 19.48km) and Inohori (SS10/13, 17.66km)
Sunday’s finale is comprised of four stages: Smokovo (SS14/16, 26.16km) debuts in Thessaly, while the classic Tarzan (SS15/17, 23.37km) runs twice, with the second loop as the Power Stage.
