Tanak’s consistent speed and ability to avoid serious delays helped the Estonian complete the day’s six rough gravel stages with a 3.0s lead over Hyundai team-mate Adrien Fourmaux, with Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier in third 16.9s back.

Ott Tanak produced an impressive drive across Saturday morning’s three stages to extend his Acropolis Rally Greece lead after Hyundai team-mate Adrien Fourmaux lost time after clipping a bank. Tanak took a three-second lead into the day’s action and increased his advantage by winning stage eight by 6.

Hyundai’s Ott Tanak emerged from a punishing Friday at Acropolis Rally Greece with a slender lead as soaring temperatures and savage road conditions ripped through the FIA World Rally Championship field.