Esapekka Lappi didn't mince words after Rally Chile came to a close. The Finn finished sixth, over five minutes adrift of the winner. But what stung more was his belief that Hyundai's decision to field him in the second South American round was a mistake. "For this rally, I know that choosing me for the car was not the right decision. I already said in Finland that they should take Hayden," he told DirtFish.
That statement isn't without basis. Two weeks earlier, Hayden Paddon shone at Rally Paraguay, finishing second on his gravel debut with the Hyundai i20 N Rally1. That performance seemed to prove the New Zealander still belongs at the top level. Lappi acknowledged, "If only because he already had Rally Paraguay under his belt, so it would have been the more natural decision. But they made a different choice."
Hyundai's decision was locked in before Rally Paraguay even finished. Entries for Rally Chile had already closed, so Paddon's name couldn't be added. This created a dilemma: on one hand, the team wanted to give Lappi a chance to prove himself; on the other, Paddon's momentum was building. The result? Lappi swallowed a bitter pill in Chile, while Paddon could only watch from afar.
For Lappi, the 2026 season with Hyundai wasn't without reason. He revealed his main motivation for accepting the role was the desire to compete in Rally Finland. "From a personal point of view, I think it was the right decision. I have enjoyed many days, if you can put it that way," he said. However, Chile marked his final outing in a Hyundai Rally1 car. Dani Sordo will take the third car at the next round in Sardinia, and no decision has been made for the season finale.
Lappi's admission highlights the tricky dynamics of driver management in the World Rally Championship. Hyundai has three cars but must rotate drivers across events. Their choices often consider financial factors, experience, and surface-specific performance. In Chile, the harsh, dusty gravel suited Paddon, known for his speed on such terrain. Yet Lappi got the nod, and the result fell short.
Interestingly, Lappi didn't directly blame the team. He admitted his own shortcomings. "I know that choosing me was not the right decision," he stressed. This is a rare honesty from a driver who usually keeps comments guarded in the media. The public wonders: is this a sign of the end of Lappi's collaboration with Hyundai? His contract is indeed expiring, and his Chile performance doesn't help his case.
On the other hand, Paddon remains a fan favorite. His Paraguay outing proved he can still compete at the top. If Hyundai wants to finish the season strong, reconsidering Paddon for the final round could be a smart move. But with Sordo already slated for Sardinia, that chance may be slim. Everything will depend on the team's internal evaluation.
Ultimately, Lappi's words mirror the harsh reality of WRC competition. Strategic choices that look logical on paper can backfire on the stages. And when a driver himself admits his teammate was more deserving, it's a sign that the pressure in the paddock is heating up ahead of the season's closing rounds.
Baca Juga
Mikko Lukka, 52 tahun, dinobatkan sebagai juara co-driver Junior WRC 2025 setelah kemenangan di Chile bersama Leevi Lassila. Simak kisahnya.
Sebastien Loeb kembali mengendarai Citroen C4 WRC di Rallye Alsace Bossue, ditemani putrinya Valentine sebagai co-driver. Simak momen spesial ini.
Esapekka Lappi menyatakan Hyundai seharusnya memilih Hayden Paddon untuk Rally Chile, bukan dirinya. Lappi finis keenam dan mengakhiri karier WRC-nya.
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