Ultimate debut
Lappi delivered in style on his ERC debut with victory on the gravel-based Rally Poland in 2012 (above), only his third start outside his native Finland and his first in a Škoda Fabia S2000. He was fastest on 12 out of 13 stages with compatriot Janne Ferm co-driving.
Sat 23 Nov 2024
Lappi’s ERC winners
Esapekka Lappi, a two-time winner in the FIA World Rally Championship, graduated from the FIA European Rally Championship with the coveted title from the 2014 season plus five event wins. Here’s a reminder of the Finn’s success on asphalt, gravel and snow.
Asphalt ace
One week after winning the 2013 FIA Asia-Pacific championshi-counting Rally China Longyou, Lappi was winning again, this time on the testing mountainous asphalt stages of Rallye International du Valais (above).
Snow star
Having won in the ERC on gravel and asphalt, Lappi added snow and ice to the list following a battling victory on Rally Liepāja in 2014 (above) at the start of his title bid.
Unbeatable
Lappi led the Belfast-based Circuit of Ireland Rally from start to finish in 2014 (above) and was never slower than third on the 18 all-asphalt stages.
Doubling up
One year on from winning Rallye International du Valais for the first time, Lappi took his second victory on the Swiss event (above) to set up a final-round championship decider in Corsica where he would come out on top in the title chase.
A reminder that ERC Greatest Car voting continues on Monday 25 November with the first of two semi-finals. Follow the ERC's social media channels to vote.
Rally Poland 2012 image: Janusz Szymanek
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