Rally car racing | “You can leave with the rug under your feet” – Esapekka Lap’s future is in Sebastien Ogier’s hands

Esapekka Lappi already knew in the summer that he would not drive the last three World Cup rallies of this season.

With the eight-time world champion With Sébastien Ogier it was a privilege to drive Toyota in the end-of-year rallies if desired. The Frenchman took advantage of it, even though he is clearly below the Finn in the World Series.

Lappi is seventh in the World Series with 58 points, Ogier is eleventh with 34 points.

By taking the full 30 points from each of the three remaining World Rally Championships in New Zealand, Spain and Japan, he could move up to fourth at the most. In practice, it is difficult, if not impossible.

Lapland’s team mate Kalle Rovanperä convincingly leads the World Series by 53 points ahead of Hyundai’s Estonian driver Ott Tänakia.

“Kalle has driven well, even though the previous two races (Greece and Belgium) have gone badly. I’m not worried that Kalle won’t win the world championship if there aren’t any technical problems,” Lappi said on Thursday in a teleconference he held for the Finnish media.

At the same time, Lappi emphasized that there was not as much drama involved in his driving at the end of the season as was reported in the public.

“I drove the rallies that Ogier didn’t want to drive. It was known that it would go that way.”

As a whole Pieksämäkäläinen is satisfied with his season. He finished third three times in Sweden, Finland and Belgium. Accordingly, he also stopped three times: in Croatia, Sardinia and Greece.

Lapland did not drive in Monte Carlo, Portugal or Kenya. Ogier was second in Monte, stopped in Portugal and was fourth in the Kenyan Safari Rally.

“I had a pretty positive feeling about this year, especially the end of the season. The driving was at a good level, even though there were some bad rallies. I was able to improve step by step. The driving feeling was always present and I was able to improve”, Lappi said.

Especially the third place in the Swedish rally was a tough deal, when Lapland’s last World Series competition was five months ago in Jyväskylä. Cars also became hybrids.

“It took a while before I knew how to make the most of the power of hybrids. They go faster than old cars, even though the times cannot be compared.”

Lapland sees no future for a fully electric rally car.

“To me, a fully electric car has nothing to do with rallying. Biofuels are more of the future.”

Next plans for the season are still open for Lapland. The situation is much the same as this year. Lapland and the map reader Janne Färm drive in the World Cup rallies that Ogier leaves for them.

“It’s not a question of either. Ogier obviously wants to drive. There has been no information about what he means. A few World Cup rallies would do for me, if nothing else. It nicely balances family life by only driving through part of it. May be with children. Everything goes.”

According to Lappi, Toyota wants to extend his contract next season. Team manager Jari-Matti Latvala will also take his countryman’s side in treaty negotiations with the Japanese.

“Negotiations are ongoing. In that sense, the situation is good. You never know in the rally world. Nothing is certain, even if it is certain. You can leave with the rug under your feet,” says Lappi.

Ott Tänak may leave Hyundai at the end of the season. He is said to be on bad terms with the team’s management. The same thing was in the air when Tänak was driving Tommi Mäkinen under Toyota.

How likely is it that Tänak would return to Toyota?

“I don’t think he’s coming back or it’s a well-kept secret. The movements of other drivers do not worry me.”

If Lappi were to drive the same seven World Cup rallies next season, with that number you can’t fight for the world championship.

“It’s absolutely true. There is an idea in the brain that it would be nice to drive it, but it is not an obsession. I can live without the world championship.”