Katsuta and Neuville clocked a time of 2:39.8 on the 3.62-kilometre Lygria shakedown stage. Hyundai’s Ott Tänak was third fastest, 0.6 seconds off the pace.
“The stages are rough as always. It’s going to be a big challenge,” Katsuta commented.
“It’s going to be a very rough weekend. Everything can happen. There is already dust in the shakedown and it is dangerous. Hope we have different time gaps tomorrow,” Neuville added, referring to the two-minute intervals used on the shakedown.
Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä was fourth quickest in the shakedown, just 0.9 seconds off the best time. Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier was fifth, followed by Ford’s Josh McErlean and Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
“It’s nice to be back here. Already in the shakedown we see that it’s going to be a tough weekend. There is dust on the stage. Acropolis will be tougher this year, we hope we are going to have a good Rally,” said Rovanperä.
Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux posted the eighth fastest time, ahead of Ford’s Grégoire Munster and Martins Sesks. Toyota’s Sami Pajari was the slowest of the top drivers but was unable to complete a proper second run. On his first run, Pajari had been fourth fastest.
“One of the most challenging events for my experience. There is always something happening. You need also a little bit of luck,” Pajari noted.
The Acropolis Rally Greece officially starts on Thursday evening with a short spectator stage in downtown Athens. The competition kicks off in earnest on Friday, featuring six special stages and over 120 competitive kilometres without full service.
Acropolis Rally Greece shakedown results:
| POS | Driver | Car | Time |
| 1. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | 2:37.9 |
| 1. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +0.0 |
| 3. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +0.6 |
| 4. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +0.9 |
| 5. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +1.5 |
| 6. | Josh McErlean | Ford | +1.6 |
| 7. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +1.9 |
| 8. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | +2.3 |
| 9. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +2.9 |
| 10. | Martins Sesks | Ford | +3.4 |
| 11. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +7.2 |
Acropolis Rally Itinerary (CET):
Thursday 26 June
07.01 Shakedown: Lygaria (3.62 km)
17.05 SS1: EKO Athens (1.50 km)
Friday 27 June
06.28 SS2: Aghii Theodori 1 (26.76 km)
07.31 SS3: Loutraki (12.90 km)
09.28 SS4: Aghii Theodori 2 (26.76 km)
10.46 Remote service 20 min
13.29 SS5: Thiva (19.58 km)
15.50 SS6: Stiri (24.18 km)
18.31 SS7: Elatia (11.58 km)
Saturday 28 June
07.22 SS8: Pavliani 1 (24.58 km)
09.05 SS9: Karoutes 1 (19.48 km)
10.32 SS10: Inohori 1 (17.66 km)
12.32 Service 45 min
14.22 SS11: Pavliani 2 (24.58 km)
16.05 SS12: Karoutes 2 (19.48 km)
17.32 SS13: Inohori 2 (17.66 km)
Sunday 29 June
07.03 SS14: Smokovo 1 (26.16 km)
08.05 SS15: Tarzan 1 (23.37 km)
10.09 Service 15 min
11.32 SS16: Smokovo 2 (26.16 km)
13.15 SS17: Tarzan 2 (23.37 km)
