The four-day marathon of special stages at the EKO Acropolis Rally proved to be the toughest challenge of the season for the World Rally Championship (WRC) crews. From the first kilometers to the finish, the unforgiving Greek gravel roads allowed no driver to relax. Success depended not only on outright speed, but also on each crew’s ability to strike the right balance between pushing cars to the limits and preserving them.

Sébastien Ogier returned to the top of the Acropolis Rally, claiming his second career victory in the legendary “Rally of the Gods,” 15 years after his first triumph.

Among the Greek competitors, Giannis Plagos, driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, was the highest-placed Greek finisher for the second consecutive year. On the final day, despite battling gearbox problems, Plagos withstood relentless pressure from Nontas Karanikolas, driving a Ford Fiesta Rally2. The pair finished, separated by just 1.3 seconds.

Completing the all-Greek podium was Efthymis Chalkias, driving a Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo.