GAZOO Racing Secures Double Podium Finish at Acropolis Rally Greece and Extends Championship Lead
Toyota GAZOO Racing delivered a standout performance at the Acropolis Rally Greece, securing a double podium finish and extending its advantage in the manufacturers’ standings of the FIA World Rally Championship to 140 points.
Leading the result was the No. 1 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1, driven by Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais, who claimed victory after a strong final-day performance. Teammates Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston completed the team’s success with a third-place finish in the No. 18 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1.
The rally, held across the demanding mountain roads of central Greece, tested teams with rocky terrain, loose gravel conditions, and temperatures exceeding 30°C, creating one of the season’s toughest endurance challenges.
Starting among the leading positions due to their championship standing, Toyota crews faced the added challenge of opening the route and clearing racing lines for competitors behind. Despite those conditions, Ogier and Landais remained within striking distance throughout the event before taking control on the final day.
The duo moved into first position after recording the fastest time on the opening stage of the final day and strengthened their lead during the closing stages. By also topping both the Power Stage and Super Sunday classifications, they secured the maximum points haul of 35 points and crossed the finish line 58.3 seconds ahead of the field.
The victory marks Ogier’s 69th career WRC win and his second triumph at Acropolis Rally Greece, reinforcing his position among rallying’s most successful competitors.
Meanwhile, Katsuta and Johnston climbed steadily through the standings after starting from ninth overall and delivered a composed performance to secure another podium finish for the team.
Akio Toyoda praised the team’s comeback performance and highlighted the strong momentum carried by both Ogier and Katsuta during the season.
Following the latest round, Toyota drivers occupy the top five places in the drivers’ championship standings, with Elfyn Evans leading ahead of Katsuta, Ogier, Sami Pajari, and Oliver Solberg.
The championship now moves to Rally Estonia, scheduled for 17–19 July, where competitors will tackle fast gravel stages featuring a combination of wide and narrow sections on soft, sandy surfaces.
Race Results
- No. 1 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 – 1st Place – 3h 36m 40.7s
- No. 18 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 – 3rd Place – 3h 39m 45.5s (+3m 4.8s)
