The Acropolis Rally of Greece entered its decisive phase with an exciting duel between Sebastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville, with Ogier advancing after a spectacular performance in the last stages. The battle for the top spots intensified, and the performances of the drivers promised an thrilling finish.
Neuville, who started the day with a 4.1-second lead, watched as Ogier, the recent world champion, took the lead by just 1.3 seconds after the fourteenth stage, marked by difficult gravel and sand conditions.
Ogier, driving his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, surprised everyone with an unexpected improvement in his speed, after admitting he had been struggling with the tough conditions of the rally. “I can’t believe the speed, I’ve had lots of problems with the sand,” he commented.
Neuville was not without difficulties, as his Hyundai i20 N struggled to maintain control in the sandy sections. He admitted that his car seemed softer than in previous stages, which made it hard to maintain stability. “I’ve tried to do everything I can, but the rear was sliding too much,” said the Belgian driver.
In the challenging Loutraki stage, with 16.61 km, both drivers recorded the same time, keeping the distance intact. These two final stages will determine who will claim victory in the Acropolis Rally.
The Japanese driver Takamota Katsuta held firm in third place, 2 minutes and 34.1 seconds behind the leader, but had a scare when he suspected a possible flat tire. Meanwhile, Adrien Fourmaux attempted to close the gap with Katsuta but had to retire due to three punctures.
The top 10 in the standings includes notable names like Dani Sordo, Martins Sesks, and Robert Virves, who has regained the lead in the WRC2 category after Andreas Mikkelsen suffered a puncture.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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