The 2021 Acropolis Rally, officially known as the EKO Acropolis Rally of Gods 2021, took place from September 9 to September 12, 2021. This rally was particularly notable as it represented the sixty-fifth installment of the prestigious Acropolis Rally and was the ninth event in the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar for that year. The event was hosted in Lamia, a town nestled in Central Greece, featuring a robust competition over fifteen special stages that totaled 292.19 kilometers (181.56 miles) of fierce driving.
The previous champions, Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila, were unable to defend their title as Latvala withdrew from competition. Their former team, Volkswagen Motorsport, was also absent from the event since they last competed in the WRC in 2016. In addition, reigning winners in the World Rally Championship-2 category, Robert Kubica and co-driver Maciek Baran, also did not participate as Kubica was involved in the 2021 Italian Grand Prix during the same timeframe.
Emerging victorious from the rugged terrain was Kalle Rovanperä, who, alongside co-driver Jonne Halttunen, clinched the overall win in a Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT vehicle. "It's been an incredible feeling to win here, especially considering the history of the Acropolis Rally," Rovanperä remarked. His excellent performance not only secured him first place in the overall standings but also contributed to Toyota's success as the manufacturer winners.
In the World Rally Championship-2 category, Andreas Mikkelsen found success with his new co-driver, Elliott Edmondson. Mikkelsen's strategy proved effective, allowing him to claim victory in this competitive class. "I'm very happy with our performance; we worked hard for this one," said Mikkelsen after his win.
However, the WRC-3 category did not conclude without controversy. Yohan Rossel and Alexandre Coria initially topped their class but faced disqualification following post-event scrutineering. Officials discovered that the front subframe of their Citroën C3 Rally2 exceeded the weight limit. This opened the door for the Polish duo Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak to be declared the new winners in the WRC-3 category. "While we are disappointed for the disqualified team, we are proud to take our place at the top," Kajetanowicz expressed.
Overall, the rally attracted a total of 55 registered crews, with 48 cars starting and 43 successfully finishing the demanding stages. The competition was fierce, and the picturesque yet challenging landscape of Central Greece tested the limits of every participant.
Meanwhile, the reigning World Champions, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, entered this round with a significant thirty-eight-point lead. Their strategy and performance in subsequent rounds would be critical as the championship progressed through the remaining events of the season.
As the WRC season continued, the successful return of the Acropolis Rally after an eight-year hiatus has rejuvenated excitement among fans and competitors alike. The resilience and bold strategy exhibited by teams throughout the event not only provided thrilling moments but also set the stage for ongoing rivalries and competitions in the forthcoming races.
Reflecting on the competition, Rovanperä emphasized the importance of adapting to the tough Greek stages, stating, "Every rally is different, and knowing how to tackle this one was key to our win." With competitors eager for their next challenge, the Acropolis Rally has undeniably reinforced its legacy within the motorsport world, promising more thrilling encounters in the future.
