lappi

Title chasing Thierry Neuville says he knows better than most just how important a podium finish on Rally Finland this week could prove in his on-going pursuit of defending World Champion Kalle Rovanpera.

Toyota’s dominance at Rally Estonia should be used as “inspiration” by everyone connected with Hyundai Motorsport’s World Rally Championship programme, its Team Principal has said.

Hyundai Motorsport will celebrate a decade since its inception by taking its trophy-winning rally and circuit cars to this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 13-16).

Thierry Neuville has said adopting a risk averse approach to secure his first win of the 2023 season on Rally Italia Sardegna was not an option because slower speeds amounts to a “horrible” feeling.

The first chapter of a new FIA-led initiative that is designed to unearth the next generation of rally champions has been deemed a huge success by the individual who has been tasked with overseeing its smooth operation.

Esapekka Lappi led a Hyundai Motorsport one-two on this morning’s Rally Italia Sardegna shakedown stage from Thierry Neuville in the second i20 N Rally1.

Reigning World Rally champion Kalle Rovanpera powered his way to a fastest time on the Rally Sweden shakedown stage ahead of the action beginning later this evening with a spectator special in the host city of Umea.

New Hyundai Motorsport recruit Esapekka Lappi reckons he is ahead of the curve with the new I20 N Rally1 car as the clock counts down to the start of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship. 

Thierry Neuville believes the shrewd business Hyundai Motorsport bosses have performed in the driver market should help give the team “renewed impetus” to fight on all fronts next season.

Hyundai Motorsport has announced its new-look driver line-up for next season’s World Rally Championship, with Esapekka Lappi and Craig Breen agreeing personal terms to join its ranks.

The retirement of Sebastien Loeb, and a puncture that robbed his M-Sport Ford team-mate Pierre-Louis Loubet of second spot, has gifted the Acropolis Rally lead to a hard-charging Thierry Neuville.

Three-time Acropolis Rally winner Sebastien Loeb snatched top spot on the closing Friday stage and, in the process, denied M-Sport Ford team-mate Pierre-Louis Loubet the chance to hold the overnight lead for the first time in his career.

Ott Tanak executed his final day “action plan” to perfection in Belgium to score a third World Rally Championship victory in Hyundai Motorsport colours alongside Martin Jarveoja – and a first at Ypres Rally.

Ott Tanak was handed the reins at Ypres Rally after a mistake by Hyundai team-mate Thierry Neuville on Saturday’s penultimate stage dashed all hope of a repeat victory in front of his home supporters.

Ott Tanak remains on course to clinch his first World Rally Championship victory in more than a year after ending the penultimate day of Rally Italia Sardegna holding a commanding 46 second lead.

Esapekka Lappi says he is “satisfied” with his opening day’s work at Rally Italia Sardegna and is confident he can build on that heading into the Saturday leg of the notoriously harsh gravel event. 

Toyota returnee Esapekka Lappi was prevented from building on his small Rally Italia Sardegna lead as organisers took the decision to cancel the final two Friday stages on safety grounds.

World Rally Championship drivers have given Rally Sweden’s new base in Umea the thumbs up, with Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala praising the “good job” by organisers.

A measured performance on the final day of Rally Sweden earned Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera and Jonne Halttunen their third World Rally Championship career victory.

Kalle Rovanpera says he is clear in his own mind how he must approach the final day of Rally Sweden if he is to secure a third World Rally Championship career victory.

Kalle Rovanpera leads the second round of the World Rally Championship at the overnight halt after successfully capitalising on his favourable road position during the penultimate day of Rally Sweden.

Top 15 classification after SS1 at Rally Mexico

Top 15 classification after SS1 at Rally Mexico, the third round of the 2019 World Rally Championship. 1. Esapekka Lappi FIN Citroen Total C3 WRC 1m 00.6s 2. Andreas Mikkelsen NOR Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC +0.1s

Citroen Total World Rally Team has officially revealed its 2019 C3 WRC car livery which Sebastien Ogier and Esapekka Lappi will debut at the season opener Rallye Monte-Carlo later this month.