Greek Prime Minister opens Acropolis Rally super special stage

The EKO Acropolis Rally commenced its action in Athens with the EKO Super Special Stage (SSS) at the Ellinikon site, drawing a large crowd.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis officially inaugurated the 1.86-kilometer stage, which is located on the grounds of the former Athens international airport and is part of a major urban redevelopment project. Mitsotakis drove a GR Yaris 2026 Aero Performance on the stage with former WRC driver Mads Østberg in the co-driver's seat, and later experienced the stage as a co-driver in a hydrogen-powered Toyota GR Yaris.

"The impressions were fantastic," Mitsotakis stated, noting the rapid construction of the stage. He also emphasized the importance of road safety, urging spectators not to replicate rally driving on public roads.

Odisseas Athanasiou, CEO of LAMDA Development, the company managing the Ellinikon project, spoke at the event, highlighting the symbolic significance of hosting the rally as part of the development's aim to showcase Greece. Thousands of fans attended the evening's competition, where Sébastien Ogier recorded the fastest time to secure an early lead.