Finnish rally driver Esapekka Lappi, hailing from Pieksämäki, spent two days testing the i20 N Rally1 car at the Korean manufacturer’s testing grounds in Jämsä, gearing up for the upcoming Rally Sweden. The first day, Friday, appeared to be a typical pre-rally test session for the Swedish event. However, Saturday brought a unique assignment for Lappi.
As the WRC prepares for a significant change in its tire supplier, transitioning from the Italian giant Pirelli to South Korea’s Hankook after this season, Lappi was tasked with testing Hankook’s winter tires in the Finnish winter conditions.
Lappi is set to kick off his rally season in mid-February at Rally Sweden, entering the competition from a strong starting position and aiming for a podium finish. Last season, Lappi’s pace in Umeå was promising, but a tire puncture on Saturday evening and the subsequent off-road excursion dashed his hopes for a podium finish. He ultimately finished seventh.
Having reached the podium twice before in Sweden—securing second place in 2019 behind the wheel of a Citroen and third in 2022 driving for Toyota—Lappi has proven his mettle on the Swedish snow and ice.
Rally Sweden, scheduled for February 15-18, will feature 18 stages, covering just over 300 kilometers.
