The Athens superspecial was delayed by 1h23m, but once it got going two drivers tied for first
Words by Luke Barry
Ott Tänak and Sébastien Ogier share the early lead of Acropolis Rally Greece after a Thursday evening opener delayed by more than an hour.
The Athens superspecial, a new addition for 2025, was due to begin at 6.05pm local time. However, the stage didn’t actually commence until 7.28pm (1h23m late) due to “severe traffic congestion” on the road down from Lamia to Athens.
That meant the transporters carrying the competing cars were delayed arriving into the city.
Once underway, the 0.9-mile test was barely considered an appetizer for the 213 miles that are to come across the weekend – and will have no effect on Friday’s running order.
But all special stages count towards the final result, and it was Tänak and Ogier who made the brightest start, both setting a time of 1m18.1s.
But all special stages count towards the final result, and it was Tänak and Ogier who made the brightest start – both setting a time of 1m18.1s.
Ogier’s run was scrappier however, as he lost his wing mirror at one of the man-made donuts.
“They are often not lasting very long unfortunately on our car. As long as it’s a mirror it’s fine!” Ogier smiled.
Takamoto Katsuta was the only driver within a second of the joint leaders – 0.9s off the pace with the Hyundais of Adrien Fourmaux and Thierry Neuville both a further tenth adrift in fourth and fifth place overnight.
Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä shared the sixth best time, 1.5s off the lead, with Mãrtińš Sesks leading the M-Sport charge in eighth.
Sami Pajari and Josh McErlean complete the overnight top 10.
Words:Luke Barry
Tags: Acropolis Rally Greece, Acropolis Rally Greece 2025, WRC, WRC 2025
Publish Date June 26, 2025 DirtFish
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