Hyundai’s WRC team began a testing session on Wednesday at their own test area in Central Finland. Estonian star Ott Tänak was driving on Wednesday in the Jämsä region, and on Thursday, it was Lappi and his co-driver Janne Ferm’s turn to take the wheel of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car.
Read more: Ott Tänak made a stylish quick visit to Finland – what is Hyundai up to?
Tänak drove on a fast gravel road, while Lappi’s test day was spent on a more technical section with much rougher gravel and stones.
According to speculation from the test stage sidelines, Lappi focused on testing the suspension during the day.
See pictures from Lappi’s test below.
What is certain is that Lappi, who drives as a part-time driver for Hyundai, will not participate in next week’s Acropolis Rally in Greece. However, Thursday’s gravel test could be a strong hint that Lappi still has some rally work left on gravel this season.
The last gravel rally of the season will take place at the end of September in Chile. It has been considered almost certain that Lappi will compete in that event, driving Hyundai’s third Rally1 car. Hyundai has yet to confirm their driver lineup for Chile.
Last year, Lappi had a tough break in the Rally Chile. The Finnish driver rolled his car heavily in the last corner of the first special stage and had to retire.
This season, Lappi has participated in four WRC rallies. He began his season with a victory in Sweden, but he faced retirements in Kenya, Latvia, and Finland.
