The Finn took over Toyota’s third GR Yaris he will share with eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier this season for the first time last weekend. The snow event also marked his return to the Toyota factory team he drove for in 2017 and 2018 and only his second top-flight start since 2020.
Despite limited time at the wheel of the new hybrid GR Yaris compared to his teammates and rivals, Lappi quickly gelled with his new vehicle, winning the second stage of Rally Sweden.
The 2017 Rally Finland winner found himself embroiled in a four-way tussle for the victory, including teammates Kalle Rovanpera, Elfyn Evans and Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, before going on to finish third, 30.6s adrift of winner Rovanpera.
The 31-year-old admitted the performance came as a pleasant surprise and confirmed that he has the skills to challenge the championship’s best.
“It’s been amazing let’s say to come back and be in the pace from the first stage immediately,” said Lappi, after scoring his first…
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