The weekend didn’t go as planned for Lappi and Ferm, with their rally ending early due to a broken radiator on their Hyundai just before the final stage.
After the rally, Lappi and Ferm faced the media, where Ferm announced that he is retiring from his professional co-driving career.
It was an emotional moment for both Ferm and Lappi.
“I need to thank you for everything what we have done together. It’s been an amazing journey,” Lappi expressed his gratitude.
“We’ve done this since the beginning.We set the targets in the Finnish Championship. We were nowhere. And then we climbed back up to professionals. So, thanks. Thanks a lot for that.”
Ferm, visibly moved by Lappi’s words, responded, “We did this together. It has been one big journey. So, thanks for that.”
“And now you have to deal with somebody else. Good luck with that,” Ferm joked in his usual light-hearted manner.
Ferm’s decision to retire, along with his final comment, might have revealed something significant about Esapekka Lappi’s future. All signs seem to indicate that Lappi is preparing to continue his career.
Lappi’s contract with Hyundai ends after this season, and the team is currently deciding whether to run one or two drivers in their third car next year. Lappi has stated that he’s interested in continuing as a part-time driver, but he doesn’t want to commit to a full season.
If Lappi were already certain that he wouldn’t have a seat next year, he likely would have announced his retirement alongside Ferm. Ferm’s comment about Lappi needing to ” have to deal with somebody else” also suggests that the Finnish driver’s career may continue.
But who could be Lappi’s new co-driver? One intriguing name on the market is Janni Hussi.
Lappi had previously recommended to Heikki Kovalainen that the former F1 star should team up with Hussi as his co-driver. Kovalainen and Hussi competed together in the Finnish Rally Championship during the 2023 season.
This year, Hussi served as Lauri Joona’s co-driver in the WRC2 category up until Rally Finland. After that event, Hussi announced she wouldn’t continue as Joona’s co-driver. However, she has since mentioned that her career in rallying is set to continue, and there will be news about her future coming soon.
