Esapekka Lappi dominates Swedish rally in Hyundai

Finnish driver Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai i20), having won four of the eight stages of the 71st Swedish rally, led the overall standings, ahead of Japanese Takamoto Katsuta Toyota Yaris with a score of 3s2/10) and 1m20s7/10. to local resident Oliver Solberg (Skoda Fabia).

The stage was completed by seven high-speed sections, which, taking place at the base in Umeå, were very tiring for the pilots due to the prevailing weather conditions, a large amount of snow, rain and thick fog, which made it difficult for the pilots to act. In these conditions, one of the most affected was the Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20), who opened the track throughout the day and lost many seconds, as the passing of cars through each section benefited those who started back, finding the best. floors for acceleration. In this context, the Japanese were surprised. Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota Yaris), who led the first two stages of the day and after the first pass through the segments, won with a time of 28 minutes 05 seconds 6/10 and beat Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai) with a score of 11 seconds 4/10 and Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris ). ) for 13s3/10.

At this stage, the defections of Ott Tänaka (Hyundai) and Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota Yaris) had already occurred. The first one crashed into a snowdrift and broke the radiator, forcing him to desert. The same fate befell Rovanpera, who hit a snowdrift very hard and his Toyota was damaged. Both will join forces on Sunday in search of stage points that are independent of the overall overall standings. Rounding out the podium at the moment is Norwegian driver Oliver Solberg (Skoda Fabia), who at 22 shows all his experience and what he has learned from his father, champion Petter Solberg, in addition to dominance. WRC2. Also good was the performance of the Frenchman Adrien Fourmeau (Ford Puma), who took fourth place and is in the lead.

Sunday scene

Once again there will be seven stages to cover on the longest stage, 126,961 kilometres, which again starts at dawn in Argentina to complete the partial stage in mid-siesta. There will then be only three stages and 61.08 kilometers left until Sunday to complete the race along with the Power Stage with additional points such as the stage.

Overall rating

1°) Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai i20) 58m18s8/10

2°) Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota Yaris) at 3с2/10

3rd place) Oliver Solberg (Skoda Fabia) – 1:20:7/10.

4°) Adrian Fourmeau (Ford Puma) – 1:26:3/10.

5th place) Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris) – 1:50.

6th place) Georg Linnamäe (Toyota Yaris) – 1:50:2/10.

7th place) Sami Pajari (Toyota Yaris) on 2m05s8/10

8th place) Lauri Juna (Skoda Fabia) – 2m45s4/10

9th place) Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) – 2 minutes 46 seconds.

10th place) Nikolay Gryazin (Citroën C3) – 3m09s1/10.