Lappi’s season is finally back on track after a shaky stretch in the middle of the year.
His retirement from Croatia, where he spun and hit a boulder, could have been easily avoided. His fall from the top spot in Italy was somewhat unfortunate, hitting a bump in the road that wasn’t as noticeable during scouting. And in Estonia, he did not match his Toyota partners. But a podium finish in Finland – even with a dramatic topple at the end – got his season back on track.
He has been to Ypres once before, during his title-winning European Rally Championship season in 2014. Driving a Škoda Fabia S2000, he was one of the few drivers to challenge the dominant Benelux contingent, although he eventually crashed out of third place after a hard left-rear hit.
His hopes of another podium finish depend on how much it rains. Lappi will start behind most of the championship regulars in the order – potentially causing problems with getting mud onto the line from the famous deep cuts along with the gravel.
#8 Ot Tenak/Martin Jarveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 1st, 3rd, DNF
Ypres best result: 6th (2021)
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/2022-ypres-rally-form-guide/
