ERC
ERC legend Lappi wins his last dance
Esapekka Lappi, the winner of the 2014 FIA European Rally Championship, called time on his professional driving career in the best way possible last Saturday.
Lappi, who went on to win twice at FIA World Rally Championship level following his ERC title triumph, announced earlier this month that the SM Porvoon Autopalvelu Ralli in his native Finland would be his “last dance”.
Having already secured his national title for the third time when he won Fixus SM Ralli Kitee in mid-August, Lappi ensured his glittering full-time career ended in style when he took his fifth victory of the season alongside co-driver Enni Mälkönen.
Poland ERC victory in 2012 marked Lappi out as a future star
© Janusz Szymanek/Rally Poland
“Never say never, but after many years behind the wheel it's time to focus on my family and life outside rallying,” said Lappi, 35. “Today’s win came with a bit of luck. Of course, that’s all part of the sport and you have to make it to the finish line. The emotions will probably come out later. It’s been quite a journey with all sorts of ups and downs.”
Lappi made an instant impact in the ERC when he won Rally Poland, his debut in the championship, in 2012. He took a further four victories in the series with the factory Škoda Motorsport team, becoming champion on Tour de Corse in 2014 (see below).
After winning the FIA WRC2 title in 2016, Lappi took his maiden outright win on home soil the following year and was a winner again on the Swedish ice and snow in 2024. He enjoyed stints with the factory Hyundai, M-Sport and Toyota squads and made 95 WRC starts, finishing on the podium 15 times.
Two of Lappi's ERC wins came on Rallye International du Valais
© ERC
But looking back on his ERC career, Lappi said: “The ERC was a good time for me, definitely, and especially it was important for me in terms of Tarmac driving, there was a lot of Tarmac events and I got a lot of experience on Tarmac from that championship so it was really good. The races were in beautiful places and the competition was strong.”
Revisited: How Lappi became ERC champion and celebrated with cake and coffee
With no replacement car available, the young German was a non-starter leaving Lappi to seal the title deal, despite crashing out from third place on the final stage of leg one and not starting leg two as a result.
“It's the biggest success of my career,” Lappi said at the time. “My thanks go to the entire Škoda Motorsport team and my co-driver Janne [Ferm] – they all did a fantastic job. We were doing well, but then I misjudged a bend. I feel bad for the team.”
ERC title meant Lappi became a big name
© ERC
Following their title triumph, Lappi and Ferm were served coffee and cake at surprise homecoming party at Helinski Airport, while Juho Hänninen, the 2012 ERC champion commented: “He's still young and still needs experience, but there's no reason why he cannot go to the WRC one day.”
