WRC
Esapekka Lappi cracks under pressure from Sébastien Ogier at Rally Mexico
Esapekka Lappi can only see the damage. © DPPI / N. Natikis
Le Rally du Mexique 2023 a basculé dès les premiers kilomètres de la deuxième étape, ce samedi 18 mars. Lancé le couteau entre les dents du fait de sa position de leader, Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai) a commis une erreur de pilotage. Une touchette dans le bas-côté de la route poussiéreuse l’a envoyé en marche arrière contre un poteau télégraphique dans l’ES11 :
It is the accident of Esapekka Lappi that he has lost his leadership and all his options in the Rally de México (via @AzarWutWut). Entra largo y luego remata contra eléctricidad post. #WRCpic.twitter.com/4crAR5i2LG
— Rubén Carballo (@Ruben_DXT) March 18, 2023
The driver and his co-driver Janne Ferm escaped unscathed, unlike the Hyundai i20 hybrid, whose left rear side was crushed by the pylon. An outbreak of fire was brought under control but the adventure of the Finnish tandem ended there, although it could take it to a first victory on a Rally of Mexico.
Esapekka Lappi thus buckled under the pressure exerted by Sébastien Ogier (Toyota). Le Français soufflait sur la nuque de son adversaire avant le départ de cette terrible spéciale (5’’3) et venait de signer le meilleur temps lorsqu’il comprit qu’il prenait les commandes du Rallye du Mexique.
“I’m really disappointed for Esapekka,” he declared. He was doing a great job, yesterday he was super fast. It's a shame, the battle was beautiful.
Join us LIVE for mid-day service from Mexico in 55 minutes! 🔴🔧
👉 https://t.co/B8QQZEx0vn#ToyotaGAZOORacing #GRYaris #WRC #RallyMexico 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/yhK2AjoQ8P
- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT (@TGR_WRC) March 18, 2023
I'm even more careful in my driving now. The gap is not big, but at least we try to avoid the slightest stone and be as careful as possible. »
Sébastien Ogier and his co-driver Vincent Landais are 28”5 ahead of Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin (Toyota). The latter must above all monitor the return of the rear of Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai), who closed to just 8”7.
Behind, the outgoing champion Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota) as well as the Spaniard Dani Sordo (Hyundai) are racing alone, in fourth and fifth place respectively.
Les WRC2 n’ont disputé que l’ES14 en raison de l’accident d’Esapekka Lappi. Gus Greensmith (Skoda), de retour dans cette catégorie en 2023 après son aventure timorée avec M-Sport Ford in WRC, leads the dance in front of the French Adrien fourmaux (Ford, +17'').
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2023 Rally Mexico standings after special 14:
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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Alex Marotte
18/03/2023 at 08:08 a.m.
Immediately the big phrases "Esapekka Lappi cracks under the pressure of Sébastien Ogier" and one more joke to your credit!