Lappi left the WRC behind after a difficult 2024 season, and on several occasions the Finn spoke in a way that suggested he would no longer be seen at the highest level of rallying.
Instead, Lappi contested a full Finnish Championship season in 2025 and appeared to be genuinely happy with his decision. He was able to spend time with the sport he loves entirely on his own terms.
But then Lappi’s phone rang. On the other end of the line was Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul, who asked Lappi about his willingness to contest selected WRC rallies with the team in the 2026 season. And crucially, this too would happen on Lappi’s terms.
The WRC programme was built around the Finnish Championship, not the other way around. As a result, it was ultimately much easier for Lappi to answer the question in the affirmative. Lappi greatly appreciates the fact that Hyundai was willing to accommodate him and go along with his terms.
“It’s great and in some ways certainly quite exceptional as well,” Lappi says in an interview with RallyJournal.com.
On the other hand, Hyundai’s situation was awkward. Ott Tänak announced after last season that he would be stepping away from the sport, and drivers capable of competing in the WRC’s top class do not grow on trees.
Hyundai have taken a beating from Toyota in the WRC in recent years from all directions, so running inexperienced drivers was not an option. As a result, the team’s third car will be driven next season by Lappi, Dani Sordo and Hayden Paddon. All experienced hands.
“Of course, you have to take it as some kind of vote of confidence in yourself as well. Or then it’s just desperation on their part. One or the other,” Lappi laughs.
“But I’ll try to take it as something that boosts my self-confidence. It will certainly be a historic setup when we’re competing with two manufacturers,” Lappi says.
Lappi will also contest a full Finnish Championship season in the upcoming year together with his co-driver Enni Mälkönen. In the Finnish Championship, the pair compete in a Škoda. On the WRC side, their season will begin in mid-February at Rally Sweden.
