Two victories from two points-scoring starts sets Robert Virves up well for this year’s WRC2 drivers’ title in 2026.
But the similarities between the two results – claimed at Safari Rally Kenya and Acropolis Rally Greece – perhaps offer the biggest conclusion.
“Seems to be that the [rough] conditions are suiting very well [the] Škoda,” offered Toyota deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen. “They have done a good job, I must say. Really, really they are super super fast both of them.
“OK [Andreas] Mikkelsen is very experienced driver, Virves is a young boy but he’s been driving fantastically well. I mean we haven’t had any chance with Toyota you know to fight against them and even Lancia is quite a lot down and they have been super fast on asphalt.
“But well done to Škoda, they have definitely been a step ahead I must say that.”
Virves won in Greece by 1m02.4s over Mikkelsen, with the leading Toyota (Alejandro Cachón) another minute behind.
Few drivers know the strengths of Škoda’s various Fabia Rally2 machines over the years better than Mikkelsen, who acknowledges the latest RS model is another that comes alive when the going gets tough.
“I feel really good in the car in this rally compared to, for example, Portugal and other events,” Mikkelsen told DirtFish.
“So it must be something with the grip and the profile of the stages and there’s something magical about that happens when this car comes to Greece.”
Virves obviously played a major role in securing his victory, but was equally quick to point out the strength of his package.
“Yeah, that’s what I always say to everyone, you know: we never can complain about the car because it’s always working well,” Virves told DirtFish.
“To do an event like this without any issues with the car is impressive. Same as in Kenya, which is even more impressive.”
The Estonian revealed the entire weekend was “still like a proper race” rather than a strategic drive “as I tried to save some tires at some point, which just meant that Andreas was driving away from me”.
Virves was pushing hard despite the demanding road conditions
That makes the car’s durability even more impressive but what about the upcoming fast, gravel events in Estonia and Finland? Virves and Škoda won Estonia last year, but Roope Korhonen’s Toyota was quickest in Finland.
“Now we have fast rallies ahead of us, Estonia and Finland. For sure these will be serious fights to be competitive, but this is what we are here for,” Virves smiled.
Out of the eight WRC2 events held so far in 2026, Stellantis (three for Lancia, one for Citroën) won all four Tarmac rounds, while Škoda claimed both rough gravel events. A Toyota meanwhile won in Sweden and Portugal.
Toyota driver Korhonen currently leads the championship before dropped points are considered.
