The Acropolis Rally is one of the most gruelling events of the season, something Toyota experienced the hard way on Friday. Toyota drivers Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans suffered turbo issues, while Takamoto Katsuta crashed out and damaged his car.
Hyundai’s drivers navigated Friday’s special stages without significant problems. As a result, the team holds the top three positions heading into Saturday. Ott Tänak leads the rally, followed by teammates Dani Sordo and championship leader Thierry Neuville.
“It’s obviously looking good, but no points on Friday, as you know. So points are only starting on Saturday. It could be the regulation for next year: points on Friday! And actually, it’s one of our proposals,” Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul joked light-heartedly.
“But more seriously; let’s see tomorrow because lots of things can happen. But obviously, it’s for us to screw up now. So we need to make sure that it doesn’t happen,” added Abiteboul, whose team has an excellent opportunity to extend its lead over Toyota in the manufacturers’ championship.
Tänak has a 21.8-second lead over Sordo ahead of Saturday’s special stages. Neuville, who is chasing his first championship title, is 23.4 seconds behind Sordo.
Sordo’s role for years has been to serve as Hyundai’s third driver in selected WRC rounds, supporting the team’s leading stars and collecting valuable points for the manufacturers’ championship. The Spaniard does not need points for his own standings, providing Hyundai with an opportunity for strategic manoeuvring.
By dropping Sordo behind Neuville through team orders, the Belgian, who leads the championship, would earn more points in his title bid. This decision would not sit well with Tänak, as he is also still trying to fight for the WRC title.
However, in the bigger picture, the move is logical for Hyundai. It would give Neuville a chance to widen the gap to second-placed Ogier in the championship standings. Ogier dropped from the lead to fourth place in the Acropolis Rally on Friday afternoon due to a turbo issue.
Hyundai did not use team orders on Friday, but the situation might change on Saturday. At the end of the second day, significant points will be up for grabs based on the overall standings.
“I don’t want to give away any seconds on Friday. So it would mean giving away lots of seconds and lots of time. Also, lots of positive vibes for Dani. I think Dani is happy to be here. It’s a rally that he likes, people love him and support him. So we don’t want to do that, not at this point of the rally,” Abiteboul responded to the pressing question.
The Acropolis Rally continues on Saturday with six special stages.
