Hyundai’s WRC team started its preparation for the upcoming WRC season in earnest on Saturday when they began testing on their own test track in Central Finland. Lappi had the honor of starting the work before his teammates.”
“The feeling is very good. The winter has been great so far, and I’ve had some time at home too, so there’s energy again. I’ve been able to catch up on all the backlog at home, so it’s really nice. And Christmas is coming soon, so then the holiday continues for a bit” Lappi said to Rallit.fi during his test day.
Check out the video of Lappi’s test day below. The article continues after the video.
In the upcoming WRC season, Lappi will not be as busy as this year. The driver from Finland will only participate in part of the WRC events with Hyundai’s third Rally1 car, sharing driving duties with Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen and Spanish veteran Dani Sordo.
Lappi confirmed that he will start his competitive season in Sweden in February.
“It’s pretty clear in that sense that Rally Sweden suits us. We were already in good pace there this year with Hyundai. That’s where we’ll definitely start, unless something unusual happens” Lappi said.
“These are not directly tests for Sweden, but we’re trying to find new things for the car” he added.
After his test day, Lappi will focus on celebrating the Christmas holidays.
“The tree had to be brought inside for the children so they could decorate it. In my childhood, it was brought inside on Christmas Eve or the evening before to thaw, but now I’ve had to deviate a bit from tradition” Lappi laughed.
The WRC season kicks off at the end of January with the iconic Rally Monte Carlo. Mikkelsen is set to drive Hyundai’s third car there. The team’s star drivers, Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville, will compete in all rounds next year.
