Esapekka Lappi chose clear words: “This success feels damn good,” said the 33-year-old Hyundai driver after winning the Rally Sweden on Sunday. “I’ve been chasing this second victory for quite a while.” The Finn’s only success to date was in 2017.
Second after four days, 18 stages and 300 kilometers through the north-east of the country was the Welshman Elfyn Evans (Toyota) ahead of the Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux (Ford).
“Challenging weekend”
Lappi’s teammate Thierry Neuville, who traveled to the Umeå area as the overall leader after his opening success in Monte Carlo, finished fourth. In extreme conditions, with snow, ice and temperatures below zero degrees Celsius, the Belgian struggled with a defective fuel pump at times and received a time penalty. “It was a challenging weekend,” said Neuville, “I’m happy with the points.” His Hyundai colleague and World Championship rival, Estonian Ott Tänak, finished behind in 41st place after an accident.
The return of world champion Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota), who will only contest part of the 2024 season and does not want to defend his title, was eagerly awaited. In his first WRC appearance this year, the Finn was considered the big favorite, and in fact he was soon leading the race before it also caught him and he drove his 500 hp small car into a pile of snow. Rovanperä was ultimately ranked 39th. But the 23-year-old took it in a sporty manner and was happy with his compatriot, the winner Lappi: “At least,” said Rovanperä, “a Finn won.”
Sönke Sievers Published/Updated: Recommendations: 4 Sönke Sievers, Passau Published/Updated: Recommendations: 6 Sönke Sievers Published/Updated: Recommendations: 5
Before the third World Cup round of the year takes place at the end of March, the Kenya Rally, Thierry Neuville continues to lead the overall standings with 48 points, Elfyn Evans is three points behind, Tänak is fifth.
