'Still in discussion with Hyundai' Lappi studies other options

Double winner in the WRC, Esapekka Lappi still does not know his future as the championship prepares to begin. The Finn indicates that he is “still under discussion” with Hyundai, the manufacturer for which he has raced for the last two years, but does not rule out other options.

The team led by Cyril Abiteboul has in fact announced that it is following a new strategy this year, entrusting its third car to Adrien Fourmaux in a full-time program, instead of sharing it between several drivers as was the case until here.

After having done the entire 2023 championship with Hyundai, Lappi only competed in certain rallies last season, in a rotation with Dani Sordo and Andreas Mikkelsen whose plans are also unknown at the moment, while Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak made up the main duo of the team.

If he won the Swedish Rally as part of this partnership at the start of last season, Lappi's four other 2024 appearances proved much more complicated, including two retirements. Now separated from his co-driver Janne Ferm, who ended his career, he still hoped to continue his commitments with Hyundai, before Fourmaux was finally made official for the entire upcoming championship.

Today, the Finn indicates that his discussions with Hyundai are continuing in the event that a fourth car could be entered in a certain number of rallies, but indicates that he also has other ideas to explore.

“We haven’t heard from here in a while,” he said in a video posted on his social networks. “That's mainly because there isn't any to give. But I have now decided to speak out about the situation, even if there is no big news to give.”

“First of all, thank you to everyone, to the fans and sponsors who followed us. Our season did not end as we would have liked, but we cannot change anything about that. We have now discussed what could be done for this year We are still in discussions with Hyundai, but we are also looking at other options, keeping an open mind towards other championships to see what options are available.

“So the situation remains completely open, which is a good thing. On the other hand, it's also very liberating when you don't have to do anything, so I have to say it feels good We will now enjoy the winter and see if our plans take either direction in the coming weeks. We will do another post when the time is right.