Esapekka Lappi clocks a blistering time – and there’s a logical explanation

The Hyundai driver beat M-Sport Ford’s Martins Sesks by an impressive 5.6 seconds on the shakedown. In other words, Lappi was nearly a second per kilometre quicker than the second-place finisher.

There’s a logical explanation for Lappi’s incredible time. The Finn set his best time on his fourth run, by which time the road had been well cleared of loose gravel. Nearly all the Rally1 drivers completed the shakedown only three times, with the final run being a so-called VIP ride, where no time was recorded.

Additionally, many drivers were conserving their tyres during the shakedown. However, it’s worth noting that Lappi’s second run would have also been enough to secure the fastest time in the shakedown.

Sesks, who is competing without a hybrid unit, was in fine form on the shakedown. The Latvian, driving a Ford Rally1 car for the third time, has a good starting position for Friday’s stages, giving him a chance to fight for strong results in the gravel rally.

The results of the shakedown saw three Finnish drivers place in the top four. Sami Pajari, driving Toyota’s Rally1 car for only the second time, finished a strong third, just 0.4 seconds behind Sesks. Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä, meanwhile, was fourth with his time from the first run.

Hyundai’s Ott Tänak placed fifth in the shakedown, ahead of Toyota’s Elfyn Evans and teammate Thierry Neuville. The leading French stars in the top class, Sebastien Ogier and Adrien Fourmaux, were further off the pace. It’s likely they were driving cautiously to conserve their tyres.

Rally Chile will get fully underway on Friday, with six stages on the schedule. Championship leader Neuville will act as the road opener for the opening day’s stages.

Results of the Rally Chile shakedown:

Rally Chile itinerary (CET):

Thursday, 26 Sept:

13:31 Shakedown: Conuco (6.79 km)

Friday, 27 Sept:

13:35 SS1: Pulperia 1 (19.72 km)
14:30 SS2: Rere 1 (13.34 km)
15:21 SS3: San Rosendo 1 (23.32 km)
18:11 Service (30 min)
19:46 SS4: Pulperia 2 (19.72 km)
20:41 SS5: Rere 2 (13.34 km)
21:32 SS6: San Rosendo 2 (23.32 km)

Saturday, 28 Sept:

14:07 SS7: Pelun 1 (15.65 km)
15:01 SS8: Lota 1 (25.64 km)
16:05 SS9: Maria las Cruces 1 (28.31 km)
18:37 Service (30 min)
20:07 SS10: Pelun 2 (15.65 km)
21:01 SS11: Lota 2 (25.64 km)
22:05 SS12: Maria las Cruces 2 (28.31 km)

Sunday, 29 Sept:

13:23 SS13: Laraquete 1 (18.62 km)
14:35 SS14: Bio Bio 1 (8.78 km)
15:35 SS15: Laraquete 2 (18.62 km)
18:15 SS16: Bio Bio 2 (8.78 km) Power Stage