A triple podium of 1-2-3 has been achieved in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) by Hyundai Motorsport following an impressive performance at the Acropolis Rally in Greece, held from 5-8 September 2024.
Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid finished first in the Acropolis Rally, with Dani Sordo/Cándido Carrera and Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja second and third respectively, securing a historic result for the team.
The tough and unforgiving terrain of WRC EKO Acropolis Rally Greece gave Hyundai Motorsport’s teams a warm welcome following pre-race testing last month. Round 10 of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship got underway with a provisional 1-2-3 for Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team on day one.
Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja had a comfortable lead after the first six stages, followed by Spanish duo Dani Sordo and Cándido Carrera and championship leaders Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe. O. Tänak won the SS5 stage to build up a 21.8-second lead, while T. Neuville and D. Sordo struggled with technical issues. But the second day brought a turnaround at the top. O. Tänak and D. Sordo suffered tyre problems during the first stages on Saturday, relegating Ogier to provisional third.
A second tyre problem cost O. Tänak more than four minutes and handed Sordo the lead. With no spare tyres, Tänak and Järveoja continued to masterfully drive the i20 N Rally1 Hybrid to an impressive victory on the SS10 special stage. D. Sordo’s advantage was established and T. Neuville and M. Wydaeghe were in very good form. The Belgian crew remained consistent and with careful handling took victory on the SS7 special stage.
On the final day, our teams faced three (3) challenging stages for Super Sunday, as heavy rain on Saturday night changed the terrain conditions. Hyundai Motorsport’s drivers had to be agile to survive the new conditions and make it to the Power Stage unscathed. All T. Neuville and M. Wydaeghe had to do was be consistent and bring the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid to the finish line without any problems. The Belgian crew finished fourth on Sunday’s Power Stage to cement their victory at the Acropolis Rally.
It is worth noting that T. Neuville, shortly before the start of the “Rally of the Gods”, renewed his cooperation with the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team for another year. Crew notes: Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (#11 Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid).
T. Neuville said: “It’s incredible. It’s been a crazy weekend. I knew we had to approach this rally differently and try to maintain the advantage we have in the championship. We weren’t pushing the limit to avoid any tyre issues and now we have a good lead. We’ll try to protect these points in the last three rounds of the championship and stay in the lead of the drivers’ championship.”
O. Tänak said: “It was very unlucky to have two problems with my tires, but after the race we had no problems and I am very happy for this excellent result.”
D. Sordo said: “Despite the technical problem we faced in the last three stages, our performances were good, but it was not an easy task. Tomorrow will be very difficult and demanding.”
Cyril Abiteboul, President and Team Principal of Hyundai Motorsport, said: “Two years after taking the podium at the Acropolis Rally, we are doing it again. This rally is a real test for the teams, the team and the car. It wasn’t a perfect weekend, but we stayed focused and played a great game to extend our lead in the standings. However, I can’t describe the feelings of such a victory. We can celebrate tonight and return to the factory later this week to continue our effort!”
Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team finished the WRC EKO Acropolis Rally Greece taking first and second place in the drivers’ championship and with a wide lead of 35 points in the manufacturers’ championship.
The 2024 FIA World Rally Championship travels around the world and will return in three weeks for the Rally Chile Bio Bío (26-29 September).
The standings, in particular, in the championship were formed as follows.
Main
Neuville 192
Tanakh 158
Ogier 154
Evans 140
Fourmaux 130
Rovanperá 86
Katsuta 80
Deaf 44
Birds 34
Lappi 33
Co-pilots
Wydaeghe 192
Jarveoja 158
Landais 154
Martin 140
Coria 130
Stop 86
Johnston 80
Career 44
Malkonen34
Farm 33
Manufacturers
Hyundai 445
Toyota 410
M-Sport Ford 226