WRC Rally Greece: Shakedown cancelled, who can eat into Rovapera’s lead?

The World Rally Championship is back with the Acropolis Rally Greece as Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera leads 25 points ahead of teammate Eflyn Evans with Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville close behind.

Shakedown cancelled

Ahead of Thursday, WRC fans would have been hoping for some on-course action ahead of the opening event in Greece. However, it was declared on Wednesday night at 7:15pm local time that the shakedown event had been cancelled. 

In a post on social media, the official event stated:

“Due to severe weather conditions and in the interest of the safety of participants, officials and marshals, Shakedown scheduled for Thursday, September 7th 2023, is cancelled.”

This was due to the adverse weather conditions of torrential rain and treacherous on-course conditions. In turn, this means the first meaningful runs to ensure the cars are up to working order will be tested at the first official stage on Thursday afternoon.

Can Evans and Neuville pull back Rovanpera’s lead?

After a troubled time at his home rally, Rovanpera finished the first full day of running on the roof of his Toyota and out of the running. This allowed Evans to storm his way to victory and, in turn, cut the deficit down to his Finnish teammate. 

With Rovanpera’s retirement and Evans’ win, including maximum power stage points, cut the deficit down to just 25 points – one clear rally win. However, it’s not just Rovanpera and Evans in the running, Neuville remains in contention down in third, 36 points away from the leading Finn. 

Any of the three drivers could still win the championship as a total of 120 points remain available to be taken over the last four rounds of the 2023 campaign. 

Although the Toyota drivers suffered problems last time out in Greece, the Finnish-British duo will be looking for better opportunities this time around to fight for their respective championships. 

On the other hand, Neuville will be hoping for similar success as he experienced last season. 

Venue during the World Rally Championship Greece in Lamia, Greece on September 05, 2023. // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool /

Hyundai hoping for similar 2022 success

Last time out in Greece, Hyundai had an outstanding performance with a podium lock-out, led by Thierry Neuville. As the Toyota’s fell out of contention in Greece, it allowed the South Korean marquee to pick up the spoils. 

Rovanpera damaged his car on Saturday that year while, then Toyota-driver, Esapekka Lappi developed a fuel problem and Toyota’s Welshman, Elfyn Evans failed to finish. Only Takamoto Katsuta remained in the top 10 as the Japanese driver finished sixth.

This left Neuville to lead the rally with a total time of three hours, 34 minutes and 52 seconds followed by Hyundai’s championship contender, Ott Tanak who finished in second 15 seconds behind. Daniel Sordo rounded out the podium in third, for Hyundai, three minutes behind. 

If the team is able to obtain similar success it will help the team, and Neuville, close the gap to both Rovanpera and Toyota to bolster their championship chances.

At the moment, Hyundai’s Belgian – Neuville – currently sits third in the drivers standings whereas the South Korean marquee sit in second, 67 points behind the Japanese manufacturer in the teams standings.

That’s all for the article; WRC Rally Greece: Shakedown cancelled, who can eat into Rovapera’s lead?

Read more WRC here:

• Evans secures Rally Finland victory comfortably ahead of Neuville
• Evans evades Neuville’s challenge after third day of WRC Rally Finland
• WRC: Rovanpera OUT of Rally Finland
• Evans snatches WRC Rally Finland lead as Rovanpera rolls out
• Disaster for M-Sport Ford as Tanak retires from Rally Finland
• Tanak fastest in WRC Rally Finland opener

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.