Lappi ahead of Neuville at Shakedown in Estonia

Esapekka Lappi emerged as the fastest driver in the Estonian Rally Shakedown, just ahead of Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta finished his race in the ravine.

Published on 14/07/2022 à 13:54

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Lappi ahead of Neuville at the Shakedown in Estonia, Katsuta at fault

Thierry Neuville sets the best time in the Estonian Rally Shakedown. ©WRC

While the best time of this Shakedown of Rally from Estonia seemed to return to Thierry Neuville, Esapekka Lappi est venu contrecarrer les plans du pilote Hyundai. Jusque-là relégué à une seconde du Belge, le Finlandais de Toyota a finalement décidé de repartir pour un tour et effectuer un 5e passage.

A profitable choice for Esapekka Lappi since he managed to improve his previous best mark by almost two seconds. On the line, whoever shares his Yaris with Sébastien Ogier this year took over Thierry Neuville thanks to a time of 2'53″3 making him the only driver under the 2'54 mark. Leading the Shakdeown for a long time, the Belgian finally settled for 2nd place, 7 tenths behind his counterpart.

Quickest through the shakedown so far with a time of 2:54.0!

Going back to Tartu! 🔧#WRC #RallyEstonia #HMSGOfficial #TN11 pic.twitter.com/7oIYWxi3YQ

— Thierry Neuville (@thierryneuville) July 14, 2022

Rovanperä in contact, Katsuta at fault

Leader of the championship and winner of his first victory in WRC right here in 2021, Kalle Rovanperä on the 3rd^e homme le plus rapide du Shakedown. Au volant d’une Yaris améliorée pour ce Rallye d’Estonie (évolution moteur et réajustement de l’aileron arrière), le Finlandais a terminé 1″1 de son coéquipier. Avec Elfyn Evans 5e, Toyota a trusté les premières places de la première sortie de l’épreuve estonienne avec 3 Yaris dans le Top 5 contrairement aux Ford Puma de M-Sport qui se sont montrées plus discrètes.

In fact, you have to go down to 7^e rank to find trace of one of the British team's machines with Craig Breen. Behind the speed of the i20 and Yaris, the Irishman finished just over 3 seconds behind Esapekka Lappi while his teammates Gus Greensmith, Pierre-Louis Loubet and Adrien fourmaux all finished more than 4 seconds from the lead.

This Shakedown was also marked by Takamoto Katsuta going off the road 1 kilometer from the finish during his 4^e passage. If the Japanese and his co-driver Aaron Johnston are fine, the Yaris was somewhat damaged. The mechanics now have their work cut out for them to get the car back into shape for 1^st special stage of the Rally Estonia this Thursday at 19:38 p.m. (French time).