Pirelli To Leave WRC After 2024

Pirelli has announced it would be leaving the WRC after their contract expires at the end of the 2024 WRC season. 

Leaving 

In a statement released on Pirelli’s website, the Italian company stated, “Pirelli has not submitted its candidature to supply the FIA World Rally Championship from 2025-2027. As a result, the Italian firm will conclude its partnership as a single supplier to the WRC in 2024, having achieved the targets set three years ago at the start of the current contract. Pirelli – present in more than 350 motorsport championships around the world – remains committed to rallying, and will continue its participation in all the other rally competitions in which it is currently involved. These include the FIA European Rally Championship, won this year by Hayden Paddon in a Pirelli-equipped Hyundai. The ERC is organised by the same promoter as the WRC, with a number of different tyre manufacturers taking part. Pirelli is also present in more than 40 national rally championships worldwide, as well as a wide variety of other events for modern and historic rally cars.” 

What Does This Mean for The WRC?

Pirelli has been the lone tire supplier for the WRC since 2021. With Perilli now leaving the championship it leaves a door open for other tire suppliers. Such as Michelin, MRF, or others. The WRC and FIA will have just over a year to get a new tire supplier. Although they will likely have the answer part way through the 2024 calendar. Whoever gets selected will be the supplier the WRC feels fits the series best. While also handling the many different conditions the WRC goes through. 

Who Could Replace Pirelli?

I’m not going to get too deep into who could replace Pirelli in this article. However, there will be an article about this exact subject. Will be coming out in a couple of days right here on Speed Trap Magazine. 

The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team hasn’t had the greatest luck at recent WRC events, but why is this? 

Reliability Issues

The biggest issue plaguing the M-Sport Puma’s is reliability. With both Ott Tänak and Pierre-Louis Loubet experiencing issues. Tänak’s issues have arguably been worse than Loubet’s however. As mechanical issues have taken Tänak out of the running for the championship. An engine issue in Estonia, broken oil pan in Finland, and a water pump issue in Greece. You may say to yourself the oil pan breaking wasn’t a fault of M-Sport, and you’d be correct. However, that still doesn’t excuse the other issues Tänak has faced. Luckily whenever he’s encountered an issue he’s been able to remain in the event. Pushing back as far as he could in Estonia and finishing 4th in Greece despite penalties. Loubet has also had issues, namely a water pump issue in Greece. What could M-Sport do to fix these issues?

More Funding

It’s no secret that M-Sport is severely underfunded compared to Hyundai and Toyota. With M-Sport having little backing from Ford for the world rally team. This provides a multitude of issues for the team. Namely not being able to develop the cars to be in line with the Hyundai’s and Toyota’s. If M-Sport can get more funding to do more testing and R&D for the Puma it could be more consistent. Obviously, it’s nearly impossible to predict what will happen during a rally. However, the team can work to make their engine more reliable. Getting more funding would also help M-Sport add more drivers to their line-up. Something that is deeply needed.
M-Sport has two options to fix their funding issue, either get more involvement from Ford. Which probably won’t happen seeing as Ford is entering F1. Alternatively, they can look for a large sponsor. This year they have Redbull who gave funding to sign Ott Tänak. Chances are Redbull won’t fully sponsor the team but could give a bit of money like they have in the past with Sebastien Loeb and Ott Tänak among others. Ultimately Redbull isn’t the likely solution to their funding problems, that’ll likely be solved via another source. Who that other source will be is unknown. Castrol could be an option, they’ve sponsored teams in the past. 

Why Is Reliability Worse This Year?

The Puma’s reliability has seemed to have gotten worse since last season. The reason for this is unknown, but it’s probably to do with the car being pushed consistently. Not that Breen and others weren’t pushing the car consistently last season. Tänak is pushing the car in a different manner. He’s trying to get everything out of it, which works sometimes but oftentimes doesn’t when the car isn’t great to begin with.
Tänak has voiced his displeasure with the Puma throughout the season. Even going as far as to say the car can’t win. Although he did win Rally Sweden in the car, that doesn’t mean much. Tänak wants to win, as does anybody. The difference between Tänak and any of the Hyundai or Toyota drivers is the car. The Toyota’s and Hyundai’s are built to win rallies pretty comfortably. The Puma isn’t built to that same level. Forcing Tänak to push the car to 110% of its ability to try and match the other cars. This is where the issues arise. The car isn’t built to be pushed consistently and that’s when the mechanical issues normally happen. You may say to yourself, “Well why keep pushing then?” Because winning is why Tänak and others go out there. 
Reliability likely isn’t any worse than it was last year, it’s just more noticeable. As last season the car was either crashed, out of the event or wasn’t being pushed meaning nothing could happen. Reliability is likely the only thing holding the car back from winning more events. As Loeb and Tänak have proven the car can win and can compete. It’s just finding the consistency in the car and driver.

Colin McRae passed away 16 years ago today. Let’s take a moment to honour one of the most legendary WRC drivers. 

Who Is Colin McRae?

Colin McRae may not be the most famous for championship or rally wins, and that’s not how he won the hearts of fans. McRae was known for his press on regardless attitude to rally. It didn’t matter how many times he rolled or crashed his car, if it still ran he still drove it as fast as possible. McRae was born on August 5th, 1968 in the UK. McRae would pass away in a helicopter accident just after his 39th birthday, on September 15th, 2007. Let’s take a journey and remember the flying Scotsman. 

When In Doubt Go Flat Out

Colin McRae is probably best known for his motto, when in doubt go flat out. It’s still used by some to this day, even if they don’t follow rally or know who McRae is. McRae used this motto and subsequent driving style to win over the hearts of fans. With McRae first taking the hearts of rally fans everywhere at the 1992 running of Rally Finland. McRae would roll his car numerous times, by the end of the event the car looked like a stomped-on tin can. That didn’t stop McRae from finishing 8th at the event. From this point forward McRae was known and loved by many for his driving style. 

An Iconic Pairing

In 1991 Colin McRae was given the keys to a Subaru Legacy RS for his home event in the UK. McRae went on to retire from the event but had earned more drives with Subaru in 1992. McRae took home his first of many WRC podiums at Rally Sweden in 1992. The 1992 season also saw McRae race more than one WRC event for the first time in his career. Racing 6 out of the calendar’s 14 events to finish 8th in the championship. The 1993 once again saw McRae expand his calendar to include more WRC events. This time racing in 8 of the 13 rounds in the championship. Taking home 2 podiums and his first WRC win at Rally New Zealand of that year, finishing the season 5th in the championship.

The 1994 season saw McRae attend the same number of events, however, there were only 8 rounds on the calendar. McRae podiumed twice in 1994, once again winning Rally New Zealand and taking his first win at his home event in Great Britain. McRae ended the 1994 season 4th in the championship. The 1995 season saw McRae compete in all 8 WRC events on the calendar. Taking home 4 podiums, a 3rd in Sweden, and wins in Greece, Italy and Spain. McRae did all of this on the way to winning his first and only WRC championship. After 1995 McRae finished 2nd in the championship in both 1996 and 1997, 3rd in 1998 before leaving Subaru at the end of the 1998 season to join Ford. 

The Rest Of McRae’s Career

In 1999 McRae joined Ford and also had probably his worst WRC season ever. As McRae retired or was disqualified from 11 of the 14 events on the calendar. Somehow managing to finish 6th in the championship however. The 2000 season went slightly better for McRae, as he only retired from 7 of the 14 events. McRae did take home podiums on every event he didn’t retire from besides one. All on the way to McRae finishing 4th in the championship. The 2001 season saw McRae back in the championship top three, finishing second. The 2002 season was McRae’s final season with Ford. McRae finished fourth in the championship, and took home his final WRC win at Safari Rally Kenya that year. The years following McRae’s departure from M-Sport he swapped between Citroen and Sköda. Finishing 7th in 2003 with Citroen, 22nd in 2005 with Sköda. 

Inspiring Others 

Colin McRae’s legacy lives on not only through memories but other drivers who he has inspired. With names such as Travis Pastrana and the late Ken Block, both of which honoured McRae at the Colin McRae tribute stages after his passing. Colin’s dedication and approach to rally and motorsports, in general, has inspired and led to the inspiration of many before and after his passing. The name Colin McRae will likely be one that is never forgotten, or at least forgotten anytime soon. 

Kalle Rovanperä increased his WRC Drivers’ Championship lead this past weekend in Greece. How could Rovanperä win the championship in Chile? Find out below. 

How Rovanperä Can Win It In Chile

Kalle Rovanperä will have the opportunity to win his second WRC Championship at the end of the month, but how? The only way for Rovanperä to win the championship at Rally Chile Bio Bio is for Rovanperä to take home 28 more points than Elfyn Evans at the event. Incase you’re wondering about the math behind this all, it’s actually quite simple. With 3 events remaining on the calendar there are maximum of 90 points remaining. All Rovanperä needs to win the championship is 61 more than Evans by the end of Chile. As after Chile only 2 events will remain, with a maximum of 60 points. What are the possible ways this can happen?

-Rovanperä wins the event and wins the powerstage, whilst Evans finishes 9th or lower. 

-Evans finishes 10th and Rovanperä wins and finishes 2nd or higher on the Powerstage. 

-Evans finished below 10th and Rovanperä wins and finishes 3rd or higher on the Powerstage. 

This means Rovanperä has three possible ways of winning the championship in Chile. However, they all rely on Evans having a poor showing at the event. Which is unlikely, but not impossible. Evans finished fourth at the event back in 2019. Whilst Rovanperä won the event in the WRC2 class. Seeing as the event hasn’t been run since 2019, it’s a fresh slate for both drivers. As neither has experience at the event in a Rally1 car, nor does any other driver competing at the event. Meaning everyone has a high chance of making a mistake. Further increasing Rovanperä’s odds of winning the championship in Chile as a result. 

One Year Later

If Rovanperä were to win the championship in Chile at the end of the month. It would be 364 days since he won the championships in 2022. In which Rovanperä became the youngest World Rally Champion ever. Beating Colin McRae by 5 years and 88 days, as Rovanperä was 22 years and 1 day old when one the championship. 

A Great Birthday Present 

Kalle Rovanperä’s birthday is October 1st. Rally Chile Bio Bio ends on October 1st. This means there is a chance Rovanperä can win his second World Rally Championship on his birthday. Now wouldn’t that be an incredible birthday present? 

William Creighton claimed the Junior WRC title this past weekend at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, despite issues throughout the event.

The Newest Junior WRC Champion 

William Creighton came into EKO Acropolis Rally Greece with the best odds to win the Junior WRC Championship. However, Creighton’s odds at winning the Junior WRC Championship looked meek after a mechanical issue forced him to retire from the second day of the event. Nevertheless, Creighton returned on day three with one simple goal, salvage as many points as possible. He would do just that, gaining enough stage wins to secure the championship win. 

An Emotional Victory

William Creighton’s Junior WRC win is a surreal one. As Creighton becomes just the second Irishman to win the championship. Who was the other Irishman to win it? Craig Breen. 12 years ago the late Craig Breen won the Junior WRC championship. Breen went on to become a star in the WRC, driving with Citroen, M-Sport and Hyundai. Unfortunately, Breen passed away earlier this season in an accident during the pre-event testing at Croatia Rally. Making Creighton’s win this weekend just that much more emotional for everyone. Hopefully, Creighton becomes a star in Rally’s top level, much like Breen. 

What’s Next For Creighton?

William Creighton will have a choice to make next season. Does he decide to defend his championship, or does he decide to move up to the WRC2 class. Creighton has already driven a WRC2 car this past season. Driving a Hyundai i20 for the Ireland Motorsport Academy at the legendary Rallye Monte-Carlo. Creighton finished 18th in class at the event, among a stacked entry list. 2022 Junior WRC Champion Robert Virves moved into the WRC2 class this past season. Finding mild success so far but is improving steadily. If Creighton wants a chance at the sports top level he should move into a WRC2 car if given the chance. Creighton will have a couple months to decide on his next move however.

EKO Acropolis Rally Greece has come to a close. Kalle Rovanperä topped the podium for the third time this season, along with a Toyota 1-2 finish. 

Day One 

Kalle Rovanperä took the lead on the first day of the event. Winning the SuperSpecial stage to take a 0.3 second lead over Esapekka Lappi heading into the second day. Thierry Neuville sat third, 0.1 seconds behind Lappi heading into the day. 

Day Two

Thierry Neuville took over the rally lead on SS2 and maintained it throughout day two. Although Neuville only won a single stage, he managed to take a 2.8 second lead into the third day. Kalle Rovanperä fell to third overall, 22.7 seconds behind Ogier. 

Day Three

Day Three was were things really kicked off. Kalle Rovanperä won 5 of the 6 stages on the day, to take the lead by the end of the day. That lead wasn’t as a result of the stage wins however. As Thierry Neuville retired due to a broken suspension early into the day. Handing Sebastien Ogier the lead as a result. Ogier maintained the lead until a broken suspension forced him to retire in the final stage of the day. Thus handing Rovanperä a near 2 minute lead over Elfyn Evans heading into the final day. 

Day Four

The fourth day was uneventful, Rovanperä played it safe and didn’t take any risks on the day. Elfyn Evans, Dani Sordo and Kalle Rovanperä each won a stage on the fourth day. With Rovanperä taking the Powerstage win to take home a maximum 30 points. Elfyn Evans finished second, while Dani Sordo finished third overall.

Drivers’ Championship Rundown

Kalle Rovanperä took home the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece win. Beating championship rival Elfyn Evans by over a minute in a half. Rovanperä now leads the drivers’ championship standings by 33 points over Evans. Thierry Neuville remains third, now 31 points behind Evans, not scoring any points in Greece. After a broken suspension took Neuville out of the event lead. Ott Tänak managed to remain fourth in the championship, finishing fourth overall in Greece. Tänak now sits 15 points behind Neuville. Sebastien Ogier also maintained fifth overall in the championship, taking home just a single point this weekend. Ogier now sits 20 points behind Tänak. Esapekka Lappi sits on the cusp of a top five spot in the drivers’ championship, just a single point behind Ogier. 

A Two-Horse Race 

Thierry Neuville’s broken suspension didn’t only cost him the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece win. It also cost Neuville pretty much any chance he had at winning the drivers’ championship this season. As Neuville now sits 66 points behind Rovanperä, with only 90 points available throughout the rest of the season. This of course means Neuville can still win the championship. However, Neuville’s championship hopes rely on Rovanperä and Evans both making mistakes in Chile. Mistakes are rare for Evans, and nearly unheard of for Rovanperä. This is rally, however, and anything is possible.

Tänak Comes Back

Ott Tänak came into EKO Acropolis Rally Greece looking for redemption. Tänak finished second at the event in both 2021 and 2022, Tänak’s redemption wasn’t with the event however. It was with the car and his luck in general. Tänak has had a lacklustre last couple of events. As a 5 minute penalty at the beginning of Rally Estonia ruined his chances of winning the event, although he did make a comeback and finish 8th at the event. Secto Rally Finland was one to forget for Tänak. As exposed bedrock destroyed Tänak’s oil pan ending his rally on SS3. EKO Acropolis Rally Greece also started badly for Tänak. As he was given a 3-minute and 40-second penalty for arriving 22 minutes late to SS3. Putting Tänak out of the running to take home the event win or finish second for the third straight season. However, the penalty didn’t stop Tänak. As the Estonian pushed back into a top-five spot. He was helped by other drivers having misfortune, however. Nonetheless, Tänak did something pretty amazing considering how unreliable the Puma’s have been as of late. 

 A Battle For Third

The Drivers’ championship is now down to a two-horse race with Neuville out of the running. However, a battle for the championship lead isn’t going to be the only battle taking place throughout the remainder of the season. As Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak will battle for the final podium spot. With just 15 points separating the former teammates. 

The fourth and final day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece has come to an end. Andreas Mikkelsen took the lead to take home the event win. 

SS13, Tarzan

Andreas Mikkelsen claimed the stage win on the 13th stage of the event. Posting a time 4.9 seconds faster than Adrien Fourmaux. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 5.8 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Gus Greensmith set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.2 seconds behind Gryazin. Yohan Rossel rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 5.6 seconds slower than Greensmith. 

SS14, Grammeni 1

Nikolay Gryazin took the stage win on the 14th stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. With Gryazin posting a time 1.5 seconds faster than Andreas Mikkelsen to end Mikkelsen’s winning streak. Adrien Fourmaux finished third fastest on the stage, 4.6 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Lauri Joona set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 1.6 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Robert Virves rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.7 seconds slower than Joona.

SS15, Grammeni 2, Powerstage

Nikolay Gryazin also won the final stage of the event. Posting a time 4.8 seconds faster than Lauri Joona. Adrien Fourmaux finished third fastest on the stage, finishing 1.7 seconds slower than Joona. Andreas Mikkelsen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 0.6 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.1 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. 

Mikkelsen Holds On

Andreas Mikkelsen came into the day second in the WRC2 class, although he technically led after winning all the stages on day three. How did Mikkelsen lose time? SS10 was red-flagged for some drivers, meaning drivers lost time. As a result of the red flag, Gus Greensmith was awarded time that put him 12 seconds ahead of Mikkelsen. This decision was made on the morning of the fourth day, shortly after our day three recap for WRC2 was published. Mikkelsen clawed back 10.9 seconds in SS13, cutting Greensmith’s lead to just 1.1 seconds. On SS14 Mikkelsen regained the lead, taking another 8.8 seconds out of Greensmith. 

Powerstage Bonus Points 

This normally doesn’t have to be clarified, however, this weekend was different. As Nikolay Gryazin set the fastest time on the Powerstage, however Gryazin isn’t scoring Drivers’ championship points this weekend. This means he didn’t get awarded the 3 bonus points for winning the stage. Instead, Lauri Joona takes home the bonus points as he posted the fastest time of the drivers scoring championship points. Adrien Fourmaux took home two and Andreas Mikkelsen took home a single bonus point. 

EKO Acropolis Rally Greece WRC2 Day 3 Recap

The fourth and final day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä held on to the lead to take home the event win. 

SS13, Tarzan

Elfyn Evans claimed the stage win on the first stage of the final day. Posting a time 9 seconds faster than Dani Sordo to take the stage win. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 6 seconds slower than Sordo. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time, 1.2 seconds behind Neuville. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 8.5 seconds slower than Tänak. 

SS14, Grammeni 1

Dani Sordo took the stage win on the 14th stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Posting a time 1.3 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Sordo. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Tänak. WRC2 driver Nikolay Gryazin rounded out the top five fastest times on the stage, finishing 0.1 seconds slower than Neuville. 

SS15, Grammeni 2, Powerstage

Kalle Rovanperä took home the final stage win of the event to claim victory. With Rovanperä posting a time 2.5 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Dani Sordo set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Sordo. 

Rovanperä Holds On

Kalle Rovanperä held on to the event lead to take home his third rally win of the season. Beating teammate and championship rival Elfyn Evans in the process. Rovanperä will take home a max 30 points from EKO Acropolis Rally Greece to up his total points to 200 points. 

Sebastien Ogier has officially retired from EKO Acropolis Rally Greece after an issue on stage 12, find out more below. 

Why Is Ogier Retiring?

On stage 12 Sebastien Ogier experienced a mechanical issue. That issue being one of the rear suspension arms on his Toyota breaking. Add that to the two punctures he got and he was crawling through the stage. Ogier lost just under 4 minutes to Kalle Rovanperä on the stage, losing the lead in the process and falling to fourth overall. The stage may have been over but the real battle was just starting for the Frenchman. As now Ogier had to make it back to service before time ran out. Ogier didn’t make the cut off, stopping on the road section after the stage to attempt to repair the issue. 

Will He Return?

Sebastien Ogier’s retirement sounds like it’s only for the third day, not for the remainder of the event. Until the official start list for day four is confirmed we won’t know if the Frenchman is restarting. The WRC has Ogier marked as 9th on the timesheet currently, 2 minutes and 45.4 seconds behind Takamoto Katsuta. Ogier will likely be able to move up to 7th overall if he returns for the final three stages and doesn’t have any extra issues. 

What Ogier Being Out Means For The Rally

Sebastien Ogier was the most likely to win the event after Thierry Neuville retired from the event early into the third day with the same issue as Ogier. Kalle Rovanperä and Ogier were expected to battle for the event win, however, due to Ogier’s retirement Rovanperä has won the event unless he has an issue tomorrow. Ogier’s retirement also pretty much guarantees Ott Tänak a spot within the top five. As the Estonian now sits 2 minutes and 40.3 seconds behind Elfyn Evans and 1 minute and 26.5 seconds ahead of Takamoto Katsuta. Although as today has proven anything is possible in an event like EKO Acropolis Rallg Greece. Especially after heavy rain left the event in a Safari Rally Kenya-like state. 

The third day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä regained the event lead on the day. 

SS7, Pavliani 1

Kalle Rovanperä claimed the stage win on the seventh stage of the weekend. With Rovanperä posting a time 1.3 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the stage win. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 10.6 seconds slower than Ogier, losing the rally lead to Ogier in the process. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 4.5 seconds slower than Evans.

SS8, Karoutes 1

Thierry Neuville took home the stage win on the eighth stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. With Neuville posting a time 9.8 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to regain the rally lead. Elfyn Evans finished third quickest on the outing, 0.5 seconds slower than Ogier. Kalle Rovanperä set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 14.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä. 

SS9, Eleftherohori 1

Kalle Rovanperä claimed the final stage win of the third days opening loop. Posting a time 1.5 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take his second stage win of the day. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 8.9 seconds slower than Neuville, expanding Neuville’s event lead to 10.9 seconds. Dani Sordo set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.7 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Sordo. 

SS10, Pavliani 2 

Kalle Rovanperä picked up where he left off, taking another stage win. Posting a time 0.2 seconds faster than now rally leader Sebastien Ogier. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 6.3 seconds slower than Ogier. Dani Sordo set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.8 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak once again rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1 second slower than Sordo. 

SS11, Karoutes 2

Kalle Rovanperä continued his streak of dominance taking the stage win on the 11th stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. With Rovanperä posting a time 0.2 seconds faster than Ogier once again. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 10 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Evans. Dani Sordo rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.7 seconds slower than Tänak. 

SS12, Eleftherohori 2

Kalle Rovanperä closed out the third day with yet another stage win. Posting a time 12.9 seconds faster than Dani Sordo to take the rally lead. Elfyn Evans and Ott Tänak tied for the third fastest time on the stage, with both finishing 9.1 seconds slower than Sordo. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 13.2 seconds slower than Evans and Tänak. WRC2 driver Andreas Mikkelsen rounded out the top five fastest times on the stage, finishing 12.3 seconds behind Katsuta. 

Trouble For Ogier 

On SS12 Sebastien Ogier met his fate. As what’s suspected to be a broken suspension arm caused him to fall out of the rally lead. Losing just under 4 minutes to Kalle Rovanperä on the stage and falling to fourth overall just over a minute ahead of Tänak. Ogier sat 12.4 seconds ahead of Rovanperä heading into SS12

Neuville Out

Sebastien Ogier wasn’t the only driver to have an issue on day three of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. As on SS10 Neuville had his suspension break. Neuville retired from the day soon after. It’s unknown if Neuville will return to action for the final day of the event. Neuville sat 10.9 seconds ahead of Ogier heading into the stage. 

A Resurging Estonian 

Ott Tänak sits in fifth heading into the final day of the event. On day two Tänak received a 3-minute and 40-second penalty for being 22 minutes late to SS4. The cause for Tänak being late was him having to repair a water pump in his car. SS4 was ultimately canceled before Tänak could run the stage. Issues for Esapekka Lappi and Takamoto Katsuta allowed the Estonian to move into a top-five spot. Now sitting just a minute and 4.9 seconds behind Ogier heading into the final three stages.

What To Expect From Day Four

The fourth and final day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece will feature 3 special stages. Meaning there isn’t much room for drivers to gain back loads of time. Kalle Rovanperä sits 2 minutes and 4.4 seconds ahead of Dani Sordo heading into the final day. Due to this there likely won’t be a battle for first tomorrow unless Rovanperä has an issue or makes a mistake. There will be a battle for second, however, as just 5 seconds separate Sordo and Elfyn Evans heading into the day.