Esapekka Lappi has become the latest casualty on what has been a bruising Friday at Secto Rally Finland.
Lappi’s Hyundai team-mate Ott Tänak crashed on SS3 while Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta – who was in a fight with Lappi for fourth – smacked a tree with the rear-right on the final stage before service and was forced out on the road section.
Heading into the afternoon, Lappi was in a comfortable fourth and attempting to chase down the three Toyotas ahead who lock out the podium places.
But on the first stage out of service, the Finn was caught out in an incredibly rutted section of Laukaa that Sébastien Ogier had described as “s***”.
Bouncing in the ruts, Lappi clouted a tree with the rear-right of his i20 N Rally1 which then pulled the front into another tree – causing a rally-ending impact.
Although Lappi initially continued, he soon slowed and parked the car.
Co-driver Janne Ferm could be heard telling the team: “We went off, we have to retire. Sorry for everybody, we are OK.”
That means Kalle Rovanperä is left upholding Finnish honor, but SS6 was a good stage for the world champion who extended his rally lead from 0.2 seconds to 4.7s on this test.
Asked what changes he had made at service to improve his feeling, Rovanperä smiled: “Secret ones.”
Sami Pajari had spent most of the morning carrying rear damage, having clipped a tree on the first pass of Laukaa. With his GR Yaris Rally1 fixed he was much faster on the second pass, going second-quickest behind Rovanperä.
