WRC 2025 result after Round 7: Acropolis Rally

Toyota Gazoo Racing continued its FIA World Rally Championship campaign with Sébastien Ogier (below) and co-driver Vincent Landais securing second overall as well as maximum bonus points in a demanding Greek odyssey. How did this WRC 2025 result in the Acropolis Rally play out? Read on as we review each day’s activities.

WRC 2025 result: Acropolis Rally

After back-to-back wins in Portugal and Sardinia, the temperature was raised for round seven, the Acropolis Rally in Greece. Its earlier scheduling within this year’s championship put this gravel event slap-bang in the middle of summer; and with that came harsher conditions for cars, tyres and drivers. But at least the Greek roads were a little wider and faster than those of the previous round in Sardinia.

Day 1

Following a pre-event shakedown in the hills above the service park, crews travelled south into the heart of the Greek capital, Athens. The opening super special felt like a whistlestop tour of key city landmarks, the competitors being directed from the historic Panathenaic Stadium in a short loop that also took in the palatial Zappeion conference hall (above). Nevertheless, the drivers retained their focus, with Sébastien Ogier setting an equal-fastest time on the opening stage and the remaining four GR Yaris Rally1 cars all positioned within the top nine.

Day 2

Demanding conditions were experienced by all five Toyota crews on this first full day of action. Ogier led the competitors through the rough and punishing roads for half the day, thanks to winning both the second and fourth stages to build a 6.1-second lead. However, after the remote mid-day service, Ogier was placed second on the road through the afternoon’s three stages and faced the disadvantage of sweeping away loose gravel. The eight-time world champion managed this challenge well, and limited his time losses to conclude the day in third place overall.

Championship leader Elfyn Evans also faced a road-clearing disadvantage, but to an even greater degree than Ogier as he was the first to begin each stage. Nevertheless, his strong, consistent performance – hampered slightly by damage picked up from an impact in stage four – helped him deliver a reasonable fourth place finish. Meanwhile, Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanperä were separated by 3.8 seconds in sixth and seventh place respectively, both having needed to take time out to stop and change a wheel.

WRC 2025 result: Day 3

This penultimate day of the rally was the longest in terms of competitive distance, consisting of two loops of three stages in the tree-lined mountain roads just south of the service park. Starting in third overall, Ogier skillfully guided his GR Yaris Rally1 through the day quickly and without issue. He took a stage win in the morning’s third and final stage, which, when combined with a rival losing time due to vehicle damage, allowed the Frenchman to move up into second place.

Similarly, consistent rhythm and mistake-free driving from championship leader Evans ensured he strengthened his grip on fourth. However, it wasn’t plain sailing for Toyota’s remaining drivers. Katsuta started strongly and gained almost a minute during the morning loop to take fifth position, but a small overshoot on stage eleven ended his day when he became stuck on a gravel bank. Rovanperä was running in eighth place until he also ran wide on stage eleven and got stuck. Though he was briefly able to continue again, he ultimately had to stop in the stage and retire for the day.

Day 4

Beginning the final day 43.6 seconds behind the rally leader made a third successive victory unlikely for Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais. Nevertheless, the pair still excelled through the stages, winning both the penultimate test and the rally-ending Power Stage to finish at the top of the Sunday classification. This netted them ten extra points in addition to the 17 for finishing second overall.

Evans and co-driver Scott Martin finished fourth overall to remain in the lead of the overall championship. The Welshman took third on Super Sunday and was fourth-fastest on the Power Stage, the combination of which put him nine points ahead of his nearest rival. Meanwhile, Rovanperä, Katsuta and Pajari all returned to complete the final day and recover as many points as possible after their earlier troubles.

Although it was the first time that Toyota had to settle for second place this year, we remain in an advantageous position within the manufacturers’ championship. At this halfway point of the season Toyota is still at the top of the table with a 65-point lead.

WRC 2025 result in Round 6: Acropolis Rally

WRC 2025 championship standings: drivers and co-drivers

WRC 2025 championship standings: manufacturers

WRC 2025: Where next?

The eighth round of the WRC 2025 calendar is Rally Estonia, which returns to the championship after a year’s break. The event takes place on 17-20 July and will offer fast gravel stages that combine wide and narrow sections with a generally soft and sandy surface.

Learn more: How did last year’s WRC end for Toyota?