Lappi is leading the Rally Sweden by over a minute ahead of Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux. The Finnish driver’s second World Rally Championship victory is now within touching distance.
Lappi has found himself in this enviable position only once before. During the 2017 Rally Finland, Lappi was thrust, or rather, stepped into a similar situation. Then driving for Toyota, the now Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala retired from the lead, propelling Lappi to the forefront of Rally Finland.
Back then, Lappi had to secure his commanding lead. He was leading by almost a minute over Teemu Suninen before the final day.
“I’m not really accustomed to this,” said Lappi.
Of course, victory is the goal.
“It wouldn’t change my life, but it would certainly be nice,” Lappi quipped.
Lappi’s win in 2017 was a major surprise at the time, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Latvala’s retirement. Since then, Lappi has had a few chances to win “on his own,” but they’ve slipped through his fingers
“So far, the feeling is good and content. It hasn’t been the best feeling to drive when the lead is that big, and I’ve just had to manage it. I haven’t taken any risks,” Lappi said.
But that second career victory. What would it mean?
“It’s been about six and a half years now. I’ve had the opportunity to win before. Some of them I botched on my own, and others were due to team orders,” Lappi said.
“I’ve been chasing it for a while. At one point, I thought it might never come again. But now we have a chance,” Lappi rejoiced.
