WRC Acropolis Rally 2025: Tänak extends lead - problems for Fourmaux

(Motorsport-Total.com) - Hyundai driver Ott Tänak extended his lead in the seventh round of the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) with a strong performance on the gravel stages of the Acropolis Rally in Greece on Saturday morning. While the Estonian shone, teammate Adrien Fourmaux was slowed by problems and fell back to third place behind Toyota star Sebastien Ogier.

Having already started the day with a three-second lead over Fourmaux, Tänak dominated the first lap: On the eighth special stage (SS), the Hyundai driver was 6.7 seconds faster than Ogier, and on SS9, he again had a 6.7-second lead, this time over teammate Fourmaux. Although Tänak slightly damaged the rear wing of his i20 N at the end of the loop on SS10, he was still only 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier and extended his lead at the front to 33.2 seconds.

After having largely escaped problems up to this point, Fourmaux was hit hard on the tenth special stage: Damage to the right rear suspension caused the Frenchman to lose a good 70 seconds and fall back to third place behind Ogier. "There was a rock outside the racing line that I didn't have on my pace notes. I hit my bike," reported Fourmaux.

Neuville's clear criticism of the tires

World Championship leader Elfyn Evans remains in fourth place, but already 2:27.2 minutes behind Tänak. Meanwhile, fellow Toyota driver Takamoto Katsuta overtook M-Sport Ford driver Gregoire Munster to take fifth place. Munster struggled with a handbrake failure and lost time accordingly.

Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville benefited from problems with Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota) and moved up to seventh place, despite again struggling with punctures himself. The reigning world champion was quick to criticize tire supplier Hankook. "The tires aren't up to the right standard. When you see why we're having punctures, it's just crazy," said Neuville. "It's not possible to race at this level with such a product. We're getting penalized all the time for nothing, which is no fun. It's just luck that decides."

Oliver Solberg (Toyota) confidently defended his lead in the WRC2 overall standings and is ranked ninth overall.

Problems for Pajari and McErlean - Serderidis withdraws

Martins Sesks (Ford) was able to return to the competition after a fuel supply issue. However, Toyota junior driver Sami Pajari was once again out of contention: "We had hoped to get the car running again for Saturday, but the fuel system issue couldn't be fully resolved during the service," the Finn explained. A start on Sunday remains the goal.

Josh McErlean towed his stricken M-Sport Ford through the morning loop after sustaining suspension and driveshaft damage following a collision with a rock on SS8. Teammate Jourdan Serderidis was forced to retire from his home rally due to health concerns caused by the heat.