Esapekka Lappi: “Second and last chance” at Toyota

To complete the partial program of Sébastien Ogier in 2022, Toyota a fait appel un ancien de la maison en la personne d’Esapekka Lappi. Sur le banc de touche au Monte-Carlo où le Tricolore a frôlé la victoire, le Finlandais a fait son grand retour lors du Rally from Sweden (February 24-27) with a nice 3^e place behind Thierry Neuville and the winner Kalle Rovanperä. A great way to find the WRC for those who were without a steering wheel in 2021 apart from participating in the Rally of Finland with a private team.

« I think I've already demonstrated what I'm capable of, but it's a little crazy to see where I was twelve months ago and where I am now, remembers the one who had already worn the colors of Toyota in 2017 and 2018. Everything is happening so fast. I believe this is a second and last chance."

Although discreet from a sporting point of view last year, Esapekka Lappi does not seem to regret this absence as he returns to the WRC. The Scandinavian has in fact taken the opportunity to rebuild his health with his family and is not putting much pressure on himself for his return. 

« If you're really enthusiastic, you can accept a little more pressure and that can make things more complicated. It's better to stay calmHe says. Last year helped me in that sense. Now I just want to enjoy the sport. We've had a year and a half at home with the pandemic and it makes you understand life outside of sport. Rallying is my passion and it's important to me, but there are other things in life that are also very important, like my family. I have good balance at the moment and everything is fine in my head. I'm going to take advantage of this second chance a lot."

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