Two victories from two points-scoring starts sets Robert Virves up well for this year’s WRC2 drivers’ title in 2026.
But the similarities between the two results – claimed at Safari Rally Kenya and Acropolis Rally Greece – perhaps offer the biggest conclusion.
“Seems to be that the [rough] conditions are suiting very well [the] Škoda,” offered Toyota deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen. “They have done a good job, I must say. Really, really they are super super fast both of them.
“OK [Andreas] Mikkelsen is very experienced driver, Virves is a young boy but he’s been driving fantastically well. I mean we haven’t had any chance with Toyota you know to fight against them and even Lancia is quite a lot down and they have been super fast on asphalt.
“But well done to Škoda, they have definitely been a step ahead I must say that.”
Virves won in Greece by 1m02.4s over Mikkelsen, with the leading Toyota (Alejandro Cachón) another minute behind.
Few drivers know the strengths of Škoda’s various Fabia Rally2 machines over the years better than Mikkelsen, who acknowledges the latest RS model is another that comes alive when the going gets tough.