Esapekka Lappi signed with Toyota in Portugal

Esapekka Lappi and his co-driver Janne Ferm will be entered for the first time in WRC by disputing the Rally du Portugal du 20 au 21 mai avec Toyota Gazoo Racing. Le Finlandais qui occupait jusqu’à alors le rôle de pilote d’essais pour le constructeur japonais évoluera au côté de ses compatriotes Jari-Matti Latvala et Juho Hänninen engagés pour la saison complète.

“This is the moment I've been waiting for all my life, said Esapekka Lappi. I first met Tommi (Mäkinen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Team Principal) and Mr. (Akio) Toyoda (Toyota CEO) at the 2014 Rally Finland, but I didn't think it would lead to a such opportunity. »

“I haven't done a lot of testing behind the wheel of the Yaris WRC and I'm going to need to gain experience after moving into the R5, added the reigning WRC 2 champion. Janne will also have to get used to announcing grades much more quickly. My goal is to arrive at the finish without any problems, then I will have the chance to get into the points. »

Tommi Mäkinen plans to enter Esapekka Lappi in the 3rd Toyota Yaris WRC for several other rounds on the calendar.

“Esapekka Lappi is a young and motivated driver, that’s for sure, but he didn’t get to ride much before his first rally, recalled the Team Principal of the Finnish-Japanese team. Its objective will be the same as the others: to be the arrival to collect as much information as possible. We can still make good progress with our car and he has an important role in that. We obviously learn a lot in testing, but we learn even more in competition and that's why we will be entering Esapekka and Janne on several rallies this year. »

Toyota Gazoo Racing occupe la 3e place du Championnat Constructeurs à 50 points de M-Sport.