Esapekka Lappi says he is not afraid by his unsure World Rally Championship future as Hyundai continues to guage its driver choices for its third automobile subsequent yr.
The 2-time WRC rally winner confirmed that his future is but to be decided with final weekend’s Rally Chile set to be his last occasion of the yr with the Korean marque.
Final season, Lappi contested a full-time season with Hyundai earlier than transferring to a part-time programme, sharing the third automobile with Andreas Mikkelsen and Dani Sordo this season.
Hyundai has confirmed that Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak will proceed in a full-time capability subsequent yr, however its plans for its third automobile are but to be introduced. Group principal Cyril Abiteboul has beforehand said that staff is exploring situations for its third automobile. M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux has been linked with a transfer to Hyundai.
Lappi has endured a season of highs and lows, claiming a second profession win in Sweden, however has since scored 14 factors from his appearances in Kenya, Latvia (DNF), Finland and Chile (DNF).
The 33-year-old admitted earlier than the beginning of Rally Chile that he has had discussions with the staff relating to his future and can be eager for an additional part-time season.
“If I may select, I’d do an identical programme to this yr and perhaps do a few occasions extra,” stated Lappi.
“This three-month break after Kenya was an excessive amount of. If we may do an identical programme with higher planning and higher testing and with out lengthy breaks then yeah I believe that might be very nice.
Esapekka Lappi, Hyundai World Rally Group
Picture by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport
“We now have talked about it however nothing is set and even when they [the team] nonetheless preserve doing the shared third automobile it doesn’t suggest that mechanically I might be there however nonetheless I am not afraid. I do know if this stops then my life might be superb.”
Lappi struggled to extract velocity from his i20 N in Chile earlier than in the end retiring from the occasion whereas occupying eighth place after damaging the entrance of his automobile within the penultimate stage.
“It was robust and I did not plan for it to go like this. I needed to be a bit sooner this weekend. I did not count on to be within the prime 5 however someplace in between,” he added.
“On Sunday the duty was to assault to be in between the Toyotas and blend up the factors however I did not have the velocity. I actually attacked the penultimate stage the place I misplaced the bumper however in the long run we have been additionally fairly ineffective, so not a lot positives from the weekend.”
Lappi’s co-driver publicizes WRC retirement in Chile
Ought to Lappi proceed within the WRC subsequent yr, he’ll achieve this with a brand new co-driver after Janne Ferm introduced his retirement from the championship in Chile.
Ferm has navigated for Lappi’s complete 90 WRC occasion profession with the partnership starting at Rally Finland in 2011. Since then the duo have scored wins in Finland, 2017 and Sweden this yr in addition to the 2016 WRC2 title.
“I have to thank Janne for 15 seasons collectively. We have been each rookies after we began and we climbed up the hill to be professionals collectively, and now this journey involves an finish,” stated Lappi.
Esapekka Lappi, Janne Ferm, Hyundai World Rally Group Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
“I am positive we nonetheless sit collectively in a rally automobile, however not professionally. He has been the loudest laugher of the staff – you may not see him, however you possibly can hear him from very far-off. We are going to miss his jokes and sense of humour.”
Ferm had deliberate to retire from WRC competitors on the finish of final season earlier than Lappi satisfied the 44-year-old to proceed for this yr’s part-time marketing campaign.
“It was already final yr [I thought about it] however then Esapekka requested if it was okay if we did a part-time season. However now it’s time to transfer away,” stated Ferm.
“I really like the game and I really like the folks round it. In the mean time I’ve no plans I’ll relax for the second after which we’ll see.
“There was loads of key moments in my profession, for positive everyone seems to be saying 2017 Rally Finland, however I’ve to say once I met Esapekka for the primary time. After that we now have been in a wedding for 15 years. The wedding is just not ending however we live individually,” he joked.
