Lappi had journeyed a long way in the World Rally Championship since his first victory in Central Finland during the 2017 season. That long-coveted second career top finish has undoubtedly brought a sense of relaxation and freedom to his approach.
Lappi is set to compete in his second WRC event of the season this week in Kenya. Last year, his pace in the legendary Safari Rally was competitive, but reliability issues with Hyundai spoiled his race. Prop shaft issues continuously troubled Lappi’s car, resulting in a disappointing finish outside the top positions.
“It’s definitely nice to go into the next round after a victory, but we are now fully focussed on Kenya and learning about where we can be smarter and push the limits throughout the weekend,” says Lappi.
“Last year was bittersweet for us; we had a stage win and some top-three finishes before a technical issue ended our rally early. This year we want to be competitive whilst also avoiding issues and ultimately finish well.”
The Safari Rally has moved from its traditional June slot to March, right in the middle of the rainy season, increasing the chances of challenging conditions.
“Kenya is one of the most unpredictable rallies on the calendar, especially with it moving earlier in the year. If it is wet, it gets very muddy and that makes it harder to control the car,” Lappi reflects.
“That combined with the constant variations in road surface make the event very unpredictable and difficult to find the fastest line across the stages.”
Last year already showed that Lappi has the potential to fight for victory in Kenya. However, it requires favorable circumstances, meaning the races of his teammates, Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak, need to unfold in a way that benefits the Finnish driver.
The Safari Rally in Kenya will feature 19 special stages, totaling nearly 370 kilometers. The rally kicks off with a shakedown on Wednesday, followed by the official start near the capital, Nairobi, on Thursday.
