Lappi: “I didn’t realize how serious the fire was”

Clearly, Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm (Ford) do not manage to live a rally quiet in 2020. The Finns, slowed down by a blocked cooling system in Monte-Carlo, then only fifth in Sweden, will not see the finish in Mexico. The cause was an impressive fire that completely destroyed the Ford Fiesta WRC at the end of the seventh SS.

“On the starting line we understood that the rear of the car was on fire, but at that moment I didn't realize how serious it was, explained the unfortunate pilot. 

We tried to leave the scene and put it somewhere safe, but when I lost the brakes, I realized it was burning just like it should. I threw myself out of the cabin as quickly as possible! 

I don't know what caused this fire, because there was not the slightest alert during the previous special and I even had a good time. We were doing well, we were fighting for a podium, so it’s a huge disappointment for us and the whole team. But everyone is doing well, that’s what matters most right now. »

His boss Richard Miller does not hide his disappointment. For the main English Team, this incident constitutes a big economic and sporting loss. “It’s no secret that This will have a big impact on M-Sport, especially since we do not know when the championship will restart (the Argentina rally was postponed due to Covid-19. Editor’s note).

The situation is really difficult at the moment. Concerning the causes of the fire, it appears that boiling oil has come into contact with the exhaust pipe."

There are only two cars left to defend the M-Sport colors before the final two stages. The Finn Teemu Suninen rides in second place, 13″2 behind the leader Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) while Gus Greensmirth is sixth, more than a minute behind.