WRC Finland 2026: Esapekka Lappi Suffers Another Retirement

Esapekka Lappi suffered another painful result at WRC Finland 2026 on Friday, July 31, 2026, after a crash on SS4 Sydanmaa brought his home rally to an early end.

The Hyundai Motorsport driver had actually started the day strongly. Lappi set the second-fastest time on Laukaa and remained competitive through Saarikas before losing control on Friday morning’s third stage.

Lappi explained that the grip level was lower than expected as he entered the braking zone. The car did not slow as quickly as anticipated, before drifting wide when he attempted to recover the situation and eventually rolling after the side of the car caught the road edge.

Baca JugaWRC Finlandia 2026: Esapekka Lappi Kembali Gagal Finis

“It simply caught me out because of the lack of grip. I expected the car to stop within the distance where I started braking, but it didn’t slow down as quickly as I expected,” Lappi said.

Lappi and co-driver Enni Malkonen escaped unhurt, but the car landed on a rock after rolling and sustained roll-cage damage. That ruled out any possibility of returning under restart regulations on Saturday.

The retirement extended Lappi’s difficult recent record in Finland with Hyundai. He had already suffered crashes in the previous editions referenced in the material and admitted he could not explain why problems continue to occur despite feeling he was not overdriving.

“I don’t know what’s causing this. I don’t think you can even put it down to trying too hard,” Lappi said. “The first two stages felt really good, but something catches me out every time in this rally, especially with this car.”

Lappi, who is contesting a part-time programme with Hyundai this season, also stopped short of confirming whether he will return to a Rally1 car later in the year. He said all parties need time to consider their next steps following his premature exit from WRC Finland 2026.