Keeping a cool head: Claire Schönborn racked up valuable kilometres on gravel at Acropolis Rally Greece – and also scored valuable points in her debut season in the global junior series, finishing eighth in the highly competitive FIA Junior WRC Championship. The Hunsrück native braved the extreme temperatures that challenged the entire field. With temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees in the shade and even up to 70 degrees in the cockpit, both physical fitness and mental strength were required to maintain concentration on the demanding special stages. The 25-year-old mastered this challenge, celebrating a successful debut at the classic world championship event, also known as the Rally of the Gods.

Quotes from the Acropolis Rally Greece

“The Acropolis Rally was, as expected, a huge challenge. I’m overjoyed that the collaboration with my new co-driver worked so well under these difficult conditions. Despite setbacks, we were able to steadily increase our pace and gain more confidence with every kilometre. We had our ups and downs this weekend. But as a team, Michael and I worked very well together and reached the finish line of this tough world championship round. That’s what mattered.”
Claire Schönborn

“Claire did a really good job. From the rally reconnaissance to the finish ramp, I was particularly impressed by how well Claire handled the physical challenges in the sauna-like cockpit. We’ve reached the finish line and have laid the foundation for tackling the challenges ahead.”
Michael Wenzel

Acropolis Rally Greece in review

The challenges at the Greek world championship round were brutal. Driver and machine were put to the ultimate test. Despite a slow puncture on the second special stage, the Schönborn/Wenzel duo battled their way to the finish without losing significant time. From there, it was Clever Claire time. With intelligent driving and the necessary respect for the demanding stages, they had to withstand various pressure situations. “Speed ​​is not the key in Greece. The important thing is to get through without problems and to protect the equipment as best as possible,” Schönborn stated matter-of-factly after the first few kilometres.

On Saturday, it was important to continue this strategy. Schönborn/Wenzel started out motivated and confident. Their increased effort was rewarded with faster special stage times – the learning curve on loose surfaces was steadily increasing. Thus, on the first and second special stages on Saturday morning, Schönborn set the fourth and fifth fastest junior times on the Greek gravel. But the rally gods were not kind to the 25-year-old: On the 11th of a total of 17 special stages, Schönborn’s pace was slowed by a technical defect. The rear wishbone of the all-wheel-drive Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo could not withstand the strain and failed without any contact. Small consolation: Schönborn/Wenzel were not the only ones in the field to struggle with technical problems amid the extreme conditions.

Inspired by the experience gained during the previous day, the two Germans approached the final leg with great confidence. Their special stage times steadily improved. The Ford Fiesta held up, and after four tough days, the 25-year-old reached the finish line, gaining further valuable experience on gravel and thus completing her Acropolis Rally mission. Now the focus turns to the upcoming Junior WRC round in Finland. Conditions there are completely different, as Rally Finland, often referred to as Formula One in the Forest, is the fastest event of the year.

The next dates

July 31 – August 3, 2025 – Rally Finland (Junior World Championship)