Tanak dominates Acropolis Rally to close gap on Evans

Estonian driver Ott Tanak survived a late gearbox problem to chalk up a commanding win in the Acropolis Rally in Greece on Sunday, the seventh of 14 rounds of the World Rally Championship.

In control since Friday afternoon, the 2019 world champion finished 32.8 seconds ahead of Sebastien Ogier, despite a gearbox problem which left him crawling to the finish of the final Power Stage.

"It was an excellent weekend," said Tanak. "We did our best and managed to stay out of trouble."

It marks a first victory this season for Hyundai, with the first six rallies all won by Toyota, and the South Korean marque's weekend was further improved by Adrien Fourmaux taking third, over two minutes behind Ogier.

Victory moves Tanak into third spot in the championship, 12 points behind leader Elfyn Evans (Toyota) who finished fourth, and three points behind eight-time champion Ogier.

"I think we’ve had a super strong weekend," said the Frenchman. "There wasn't much we could do to Ott, he was really flying.”

Ogier's championship hopes are limited by his decision to run a reduced season which means he will miss the next rally in Estonia and, according to French media, may not race again until the 11th round in Chile in September.

Reigning world champion Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) of Belgium, was fifth.

The eighth round takes place in Estonia on the weekend of July 20.