Lappi drove the fourth fastest time on the second run of Sarsjöliden and continues to lead the rally by a comfortable margin of over a minute. Lappi is chasing his second career WRC event win in Sweden.
“All under control so far, for sure it’s (about) tire management. It will be really bad with the tires. We still need them on the last one, which will be full of ice. Keeping that on mind,” Lappi said.
M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux, currently in second place, trails Lappi by a minute and 14 seconds. Fourmaux is on track for his first podium finish in the WRC.
“I’m enjoying the drive but I just want to drive my own rally, and trying to manage the tires. There are still two stages to go,” Fourmaux told.
Fourmaux’s threat comes from Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, who is just 13.2 seconds behind the Frenchman. With the first significant provisional WRC points being awarded on Saturday, a major attack from Evans is expected on the last two stages. Thierry Neuville of Hyundai, who set the fastest time on special stage 13, is in fourth place.
“Not the best, it’s quite difficult now with all this gravel coming through. Trying to find some sort of speed, but also managing and trying to look after the tires” Evans noted.
Kalle Rovanperä hasn’t been enjoying his driving much since his retirement on Friday. All focus has been on the three stages on Sunday, where he can potentially earn up to 12 points for his team.
“Quite OK – lot of cleaning for us in the first cars. The line is so narrow that the guys coming behind will have much wider lines, for sure. There were supporters waving on the side of the road. Jonne (co-driver Halttunen) even waved back a bit,” Rovanperä remarked.
Oliver Solberg, driving a Skoda, is in fifth place, followed by Sami Pajari, Roope Korhonen, and Georg Linnamäe. This quartet also leads the WRC2 class.
Two more special stages are scheduled for Saturday in Rally Sweden. The competition concludes on Sunday.
Standings after SS13/18 of Rally Sweden:
1. Esapekka Lappi Hyundai 1:43:58.8 2. Adrien Fourmaux Ford +1:14.2 3. Elfyn Evans Toyota +1:27.4 4. Thierry Neuville Hyundai +2:39.7 5. Oliver Solberg Skoda +3:06.8 6. Sami Pajari Toyota +4:04.0 7. Roope Korhonen Toyota +4:10.7 8. Georg Linnamäe Toyota +4:13.0 9. Mikko Heikkilä Toyota +4:19.2 10. Lauri Joona Skoda +x:xx.x 11. Lorenzo Bertelli Toyota +6:07.3
Itinerary (CET)
Thursday, February 15th 09:01 Shakedown: Håkmark (5.42 km) 19:05 SS1: Umeå Sprint 1 (5.16 km) Friday, February 16th 08:58 SS2: #42 Brattby 1 (10.76 km) 09:52 SS3: Norrby 1 (12.36 km) 10:55 SS4: Floda 1 (28.25 km) 13:28 Service (30 min) 14:36 SS5: #42 Brattby 2 (10.76 km) 15:30 SS6: Norrby 2 (12.36 km) 16:33 SS7: Floda 2 (28.25 km) 19:05 SS8: Umeå Sprint 2 (5.16 km) Saturday, February 17th 07:45 SS9: Vännäs 1 (15.65 km) 08:35 SS10: Sarsjöliden 1 (14.23 km) 10:08 SS11: Bygdsiljum 1 (28.06 km) 13:00 Service (30 min) 14:15 SS12: Vännäs 2 (15.65 km) 15:05 SS13: Sarsjöliden 2 (14.23 km) 16:38 SS14: Bygdsiljum 2 (28.06 km) 19:05 SS15: Umeå 1 (10.08 km) Sunday, February 18th 07:27 SS16: Västervik 1 (25.50 km) 09:06 Service (15 min) 10:03 SS17: Västervik 2 (25.50 km) 12:15 SS18: Umeå 2 (10.08 km) *Power Stage
