Lappi tipped for Hyundai seat
Esapekka Lappi appears set to join Hyundai’s World Rally Championship squad from Toyota as a replacement for the departing Ott Tanak for 2023.
After losing a drive at M-sport in 2020, Lappi returned to the WRC’S top tier this season, sharing Toyota’s third GR Yaris with eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier. The 31-year-old Finn impressed many by scoring three podiums from his seven events. He appeared likely to continue in his part-time role with Toyota into next year after confirming that negotiations were under way following his last outing of 2022 in Greece in September. Toyota boss Jari-matti Latvala had also voiced plans to retain the team’s driver line-up for 2023.
But confirmation that 2019 world champion Tanak had exercised a clause to end his contract with Hyundai a year early has triggered significant movement in the WRC driver market.
WRC2 champion Andreas Mikkelsen was the initial favourite to secure the vacant drive, but days after the announcement reports emerged from
Finland that Lappi has been offered a deal to join the South Korean marque for 2023.
Lappi’s anticipated departure from Toyota will leave a seat free in the third GR Yaris alongside Ogier, who has indicated that he wishes to continue his part-time role next year.
Hyundai still has at least one more seat to fill for 2023. The experienced Dani
Sordo is widely thought to be retaining his shared drive in the third car, while several drivers have been linked to emerge as his team-mate to replace Oliver Solberg.
Teemu Suninen strengthened his case for a promotion to the role when he tested Hyundai’s Rally1 i20 N for the first time last week in Finland. “For sure, the goal is to get a full-season in Rally1 I would say,” he said. “I would still be happy if I could get a few rallies and I’m sure I can be a good support for the team and give my experience from the fast rallies that I know very well.”
While contracted to M-sport for next season, Craig Breen has also been linked with a move back to a part-time role at Hyundai. Former Citroen and Toyota driver Kris Meeke is another on the shortlist.