Two years ago, a beaming smile graced Esapekka Lappi’s face after he triumphantly ended a six-and-a-half-year victory drought at Rally Sweden. However, following his recent sixth-place finish at the 2024 edition of the same event, that smile was arguably even broader, reflecting a profound shift in his approach to the sport, as reported by sportsamo.com. This newfound serenity, born from a detached perspective on his career’s future, has not only re-ignited his passion but also unlocked a performance level untainted by the immense pressures of the World Rally Championship.
Lappi’s return to the WRC fold, a comeback he candidly admits he thought would never materialize, was initially satisfying purely for his immediate pace. Having made peace with what he perceived as the conclusion of his top-tier rallying career after the 2023 season, the Finnish driver now finds himself in a unique and enviable position. He’s driving for the sheer love of it, an ethos that has profoundly impacted his mindset and, consequently, his performance. This psychological liberation is a potent weapon in a sport where mental fortitude is as crucial as raw speed.
"I’m not so stressed," Lappi revealed at the Rally Sweden finish, explaining the infectious cheerfulness that belied his non-podium finish. "I’m able to understand the fact that I’m not driving for my future anymore because I don’t really care about that and have plans for that. I just want to enjoy the Rally1 machines while they are still available." This sentiment speaks volumes about the cutthroat nature of professional rallying, where every stage, every rally, often feels like an audition for the next contract. For Lappi, that relentless grind has been replaced by a refreshing focus on the present, allowing him to savor the unparalleled thrill of piloting a state-of-the-art Rally1 car without the usual weight of expectation.
While his personal satisfaction was evident, Lappi also offered a candid assessment of his team’s performance relative to their rivals. "It is frustrating to see how far away we are from the Toyotas as a team," he admitted. The 2024 Rally Sweden was a stark demonstration of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s formidable strength, with Elfyn Evans leading a dominant 1-2-3-4 lockout for the Japanese manufacturer. This performance highlighted a significant chasm in pace between the GR Yaris Rally1 and the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 on the snow and ice-laden Swedish roads. Lappi initially questioned his own readiness, wondering if his time away had dulled his edge. "First, I thought it was just me and I’m not able to get up to the speed yet, but it was not only me, it was also the performance of the car." This realization, while frustrating for Hyundai, validated Lappi’s own speed, making his subsequent achievement even more gratifying. "This was a bit frustrating but then to see us as the fastest Hyundai, that is satisfying after one and half years away."
Lappi’s role within the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team for the 2024 season is a testament to this new paradigm. He’s not tasked with chasing a full championship title but rather with contributing valuable points to the manufacturers’ standings, sharing the third i20 N Rally1 with seasoned campaigners Dani Sordo and rising star Hayden Paddon. This rotational strategy allows Hyundai to leverage a diverse pool of talent while offering Lappi the flexibility to compete selectively, further enhancing his enjoyment without the exhaustive demands of a full season.
At Rally Sweden, Lappi and his co-driver, Enni Mälkönen, proved to be Hyundai’s strongest pairing. They maintained a solid fifth position for the majority of the rally, showcasing remarkable consistency and speed. In a strategic move demonstrating team commitment, Lappi ultimately ceded his fifth-place finish to full-time teammate Adrien Fourmaux on the final day, allowing the Frenchman to secure extra championship points. While a tactical decision, it underscored Lappi’s mature approach and his prioritization of the team’s objectives over individual glory – a stark contrast to the win-at-all-costs mentality often necessitated by drivers fighting for their WRC future.
The notion that Lappi’s pace might have diminished after his hiatus was quickly dispelled in Sweden. In truth, his speed has rarely been questioned throughout his career. A former WRC2 Champion in 2016, Lappi burst onto the WRC scene with Toyota in 2017, securing a sensational maiden victory at his home event, Rally Finland, a year later. Despite his undeniable talent, a series of team changes (including stints with Citroën and M-Sport Ford, alongside previous periods at Hyundai) and the relentless pressure to perform consistently at the absolute peak often led to fluctuations in form. His recent success, however, is not confined to the WRC stage. Last year, Lappi and Mälkönen dominated the Finnish Rally Championship, widely regarded as the toughest national rally series in the world. Its demanding stages, often resembling mini-WRC events with their high speeds and technical challenges, served as the perfect proving ground, allowing Lappi to maintain his competitive edge and rediscover his love for the sport away from the global spotlight.
Historically, Lappi has been known for his dry wit and amiable personality at stage ends, but also for a profound self-critical streak. This introspective nature, while often a driver for improvement, can also be a significant burden. Yet, in Sweden, this self-criticism was notably absent. Lappi attributes this positive shift to his experiences last year, where he reconnected with the core joy of rallying. "Three or four years ago I wanted too much basically, and I was forcing myself too much and I really didn’t understand how to enjoy it," he reflected. "In the time away, I did some national events, which I enjoyed a lot, and maybe I understood why I fell in love in the first place with this sport many, many years ago. I just try to recreate those feelings now." This rediscovery of pure passion, unadulterated by career anxieties, is a powerful catalyst for performance, enabling a driver to push limits with freedom rather than fear.
Another crucial factor injecting positivity into Lappi’s cockpit is his partnership with co-driver Enni Mälkönen. Their collaboration began last year, and Mälkönen’s infectious enthusiasm was a constant highlight throughout Rally Sweden. Mälkönen herself is a highly accomplished co-driver, having won the WRC3 title in 2021 and the WRC2 Challenger co-driver title in 2023, both alongside Sami Pajari. Her experience and upbeat demeanor perfectly complement Lappi’s personality.
"She [Enni] is so positive all of the time and the energy I’m getting, I am sucking from her," Lappi chuckled. "The faster we go, and if it is flat, fifth gear and we go full sideways, that is what she likes. That is why I said she is weird [at the stage end] because for me these moments are a bit scary, but she likes them." This dynamic, a blend of Lappi’s measured approach and Mälkönen’s exhilarating embrace of speed, creates a harmonious and effective partnership. In the high-stakes environment of WRC, a positive and trusting relationship between driver and co-driver is paramount, and theirs clearly thrives on mutual respect and shared joy.
The Finnish duo won’t have to wait long to reunite and demonstrate their synergy again, with their next challenge set to be the legendary Safari Rally Kenya next month. This iconic event, known for its brutal terrain, unpredictable weather, and unique demands on car and crew, will provide a stark contrast to the icy stages of Sweden. Lappi’s experience and measured approach, combined with Mälkönen’s unwavering positivity, could prove highly effective in navigating the notoriously challenging African landscapes. As Lappi continues to enjoy the Rally1 machines "while they are still available," his unburdened approach might just be the secret ingredient to unlocking even greater performances, not just for himself, but for Hyundai’s championship aspirations in a season where every point counts. His journey serves as a compelling reminder that sometimes, letting go of the future allows one to truly excel in the present.
