After a quick trip to the asphalt stages of Ypres, the World Rally Championship is back on the loose stuff for this weekend as drivers tackle the notoriously challenging gravel stages of Acropolis Rally.
And there’s plenty of questions about driver performance heading into the event.
Could Ott Tänak continue his rich vein of form to claim his third WRC win in as many rallies? Or could Sébastien Loeb put his head above the parapet on his return with M-Sport.
There’s plenty to examine, and DirtFish’s form guide may help in sussing out which drivers could be the ones to watch this weekend.
#4 Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 3rd, 3rd, 6th
Best Acropolis result: N/A
It will be Espakka Lappi’s first time on the Greek gravel stages in the WRC, but will that pose an issue? Actually, quite possibly.
He’s definitely feeling much more comfortable in the GR Yaris Rally1, that’s plain to see. Two podiums on the bounce, is evidence enough. But he has been caught out on other gravel events this year, notably in Italy when he crashed out from the lead on SS10.
There’s no denying he will have the pace to be right at the front, but tackling unknown stages, ones that can seriously bite could hold him back from showcasing his true pace.
His road position will no doubt help him, with others ahead doing most of the cleaning, but will that be enough to counter the loss of pace that will no doubt come from driving into the unknown?
#6 Dani Sordo/Cándido Carrera (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 3rd, 3rd, 3rd
Best Acropolis result: 2nd (2013)
Can Sordo make it three podiums from three events? That’s the question everyone will be asking going into Acropolis.
And why not?
Like Lappi, despite having a part-time seat this year, he’s still adapted well to the Rally1 machinery, and on an event where he’s performed well at in the past – having finished second in 2013 – there’s every reason to expect him to be at the sharp end again.
Whether he claims another podium though still remains to be seen. With Tänak’s run of wins and Rovanperä looking to prove a point after crashing out on Ypres, there’s every chance he could just miss out on a top three result. Especially if Loeb steps up to the plate for M-Sport.
But one thing is for certain, should any of those three falter, he will be there to scoop up any scraps.
#7 Pierre-Louis Loubet/Vincent Landais (Ford Puma Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: DNF, DNF, 4th
Best Acropolis result: DNF (2021)
Pierre-Louis Loubet is in desperate need of a decent result on Acropolis. He’s had two retirements on his last two events – although one of those was a mechanical. But failing to finish those rallies will no doubt have an impact on his mindset.
He needs to put that to one side. His fourth in Italy showcased what he is capable of on gravel, and so long as he has a clean run through the Acropolis stages, it’s very possible that he could achieve the best result of his season.
And boy, both he and M-Sport need a strong result right now.
#8 Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 1st, 1st, 3rd
Best Acropolis result: 2nd (2021)
There’s no arguing, Tänak is the in-form driver of the whole field right now. Two wins on the bounce and three wins in five rallies, nobody is driving better at this moment, especially with a car that’s not quite at the same level as the Toyota.
The only question is, how long can he keep it going for?
There’s no doubt Rovanperä will be hot on his heels on the stages of Acropolis but heading into the event you’d still be wary of betting against the Hyundai driver winning again, given just how well he’s performing right now.
It’s not a certainty that victory will fall his way again, but it would be a huge shock if he’s not at least fighting for the win right until the final stages on Sunday.
#9 Jourdan Serderidis/Frédéric Miclotte (Ford Puma Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 7th, 20th, 23rd
Best Acropolis result: 23rd (2021)
Jourdan Serderidis performed admirably on his sole outing with M-Sport this season, ending up seventh on Safari Rally Kenya, and he will be hoping to repeat that effort now he’s back on home soil.
Between Safari and Acropolis, he’s kept himself match sharp having taken part in a French national event, finishing eighth, and while it’s unlikely he will be fighting towards the very front, he will at least be aiming for a top 10 result.
But for Serderidis, the aim of the game this weekend will be ensuring he has a clean rally to bring home a solid result.
#11 Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 20th, 5th, 4th
Best Acropolis result: 3rd (2013)
Thierry Neuville seems all at sea at the moment. He just can’t get the i20 N Rally1 to work in the way he wants it, or in the same way that Tänak seems able to.
And after crashing out on his home event, Ypres, he is a driver in desperate need of a strong result on Acropolis.
However, with the way things have gone so far this year, it’s difficult to imagine him suddenly in the fight for a podium this weekend.
Confidence in the car is key for Neuville, so we will have our answer fairly early on into the rally, but even if a top three is out of reach, he must be aiming for a top five at the very least.
#18 Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 5th, 6th, 5th
Best Acropolis result: N/A
It’s hard to find a more consistent driver than Takamoto Katsuta at this moment in time, and it is paying dividends in what is a crucial learning year for the Toyota driver.
He’s deliberately not been pushing his Yaris Rally1 to the absolute limit, playing the tortoise and the hare game, and it’s working out perfectly. So why switch it up?
He isn’t expected to be fighting for rally wins, he doesn’t need to. He just needs to build up a large bank of experience. And right now he’s ticking all the boxes while achieving decent results.
Back on the gravel, he will no doubt be right in the thick of the midfield, likely battling with the likes of Breen and Neuville for position. And if either of those two run into problems, Katsuta will gladly be waiting in the wings to pounce on their misery.
#19 Sébastien Loeb/Isabelle Galmiche (Ford Puma Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 8th, DNF, 1st
Best Acropolis result: 1st (2012, 2008, 2005)
Loeb is back in the hot seat, and it couldn’t be any more timely for M-Sport.
After a huge run of disastrous results, M-Sport needs one of its drivers to pull something out of the bag on Acropolis and Loeb could be its man.
Having one the rally on three occasions, it’s clear that the gravel stages of Greece are loved by the nine-time world champion.
He knows how to get the best out of his car in the challenging conditions, ensuring it comes home in one piece, and importantly ahead of the rest of the field.
Although he hasn’t been in the Puma Rally1 for a few months, it would be no surprise to see him fighting for all-out victory this weekend. And if that does happen, it would be a massive save for his employer’s season.
#33 Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 2nd, 4th, 2nd
Best Acropolis result: 6th (2021)
In the last few WRC events Elfyn Evans has had something of a breakthrough with his GR Yaris Rally1. He’s definitely released the pressure from his difficult start to the year and is once again finding himself to be a true front-runner once more.
Three seconds in the last four rallies demonstrates where he is at right now. Arguably putting himself on a similar level to that of Tanak.
Evans has knowledge of the Greek stages, having tackled them last year, but he doesn’t have the same level of knowledge as several of his rivals.
But despite that, still expect him to be there or thereabouts, and if he’s really in the groove, a first win of the season is certainly not out of the question.
#42 Craig Breen/Paul Nagle (Ford Puma Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 63rd, 32nd, 30th
Best Acropolis result: N/A
If the pressure wasn’t on Craig Breen before, it certainly is now.
He was expected to be fighting right at the front on the last three rallies, three that he knew were the best events for him this year. But on all three occasions he crashed, ruining any hopes of a solid result.
So, with that in mind, this weekend has to be about making it to the end without a hitch. He can’t afford to have a fourth crash. He needs to make it to the finish. End of.
Of course, he can do it. It’s simply been a case of trying to push too hard. But if he dials it back just a fraction, then there’s no reason why a top seven result can’t be his.
But crash again, and serious questions about his future at M-Sport will be asked.
#44 Gus Greensmith/Jonas Andersson (Ford Puma Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 19th, 7th, DNF
Best Acropolis result: 5th (2021)
Greensmith’s form has been patchy at best so far this season, and it really is up in the air about his possibilities this weekend.
However, his strong fifth result does provide some encouragement for a decent result.
A top five finish might be a bigger ask this year, especially with Loeb taking to the stages this time round, but if he can repeat last season’s effort, Greensmith could be looking at another decent finishing position.
#69 Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 62nd, 2nd, 1st
Best Finland result: 1st (2021)
There’s a real possibility that Rovanperä could wrap up the championship this weekend, should his Hyundai rival falter, but what will be on his mind more is about righting the wrong from Ypres.
He won’t be happy about having crashed out in Belgium and he will be looking to prove a point, and that could make him more dangerous.
All year long, the Toyota driver has come in at the end of the stage after setting a blistering time and said that he’s taking it easy.
So, what will the times look like if he pushes 100% at every possible moment?
It’s unlikely that pushing 100% for the entire rally will be his tactic, especially with the fact that if he doesn’t sew up the title in Greece, a decent result will make it even more likely in New Zealand.
But he will be wanting to win, and last year’s devastating performance in which he beat Tänak by 42 seconds, displays what he’s capable of on the Acropolis stages.
Expect him to be the favorite.
