Drivers


World Rally Championship

Esapekka Lappi


About Esapekka

Better known in the paddock as EP, the Finn is renowned for his calm demeanour and excellent sense of humour. Esapekka initially had his heart set on a career in circuit racing but shifted his focus to rallying when he was 20 years old. The switch was instantly rewarded as he was named Finland’s Rookie of the Year in 2010. Two seasons later, following a dominant season in the Finnish Championship, he moved to ERC before progressing to WRC2. Esapekka went on to claim the 2016 WRC2 title and subsequently earned a WRC seat for the following season.

Since then, he has secured 12 podiums and a single victory at his home event: Rally Finland.

Photos

Career

2023

All rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (13)
Best result: 2nd overall (Rally Italia Sardegna)

2022

Seven rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (7)
Best result: 3rd overall (Rally Sweden, Rally Finland, Ypres Rally Belgium)

2021

One round of the FIA World Rally Championship with Hyundai (1)
Best result: 4th overall (Rally Finland)
Two rounds of FIA the WRC2 (2)
Best result: 1st in class (Arctic Rally Finland, Rally de Portugal)

2020

Seven rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (7)
Best result: 4th overall (Rallye Monte-Carlo, Rally Monza)

2019

All rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (13)
Best result: 2nd overall (Rally Sweden, Rally Finland, Rally Turkey)
Final classification: 10th

2018

All rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (13)
Best result: 3rd overall (Rally Italia Sardegna, Rallye Deutschland, Wales Rally GB)
Final classification: 5th

2017

Eight rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (8)
Best result: 1st overall (Rally Finland)

2016

Seven rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship-2 (7)
Best result: 1st in class (Rally Finland, Rallye Deutschland, Wales Rally GB, Rally Australia)
Final classification: 1st

2015

Seven rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship-2 (7)
Best result: 1st in class (Rally Poland, Rally Finland)
Final classification: 3rd

2014

Eight rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship (8)
Best result: 1st in class (Rally Finland, Rallye Deutschland, Wales Rally GB, Rally Australia)
Final classification: 1st

Q&A

Q1. Who is your motorsport idol?

I would have to say Sébastien Loeb.

Q2. What are your hobbies?

I like to go out on my mountain bike, but between living a professional rally lifestyle and having small children it is hard to have many hobbies!

Q3. What is your ideal destination for a holiday?

A place that is warm and sunny, it doesn’t really matter where, as in Finland we have dark and cold winters so hardly see sunlight at the end of year.

Q4. Which profession would you have chosen if you hadn’t become a rally driver?

If I could choose any then I would be a Formula 1 driver.

Q5. What is your favourite food?

Gluten free pasta every time.

Q6. Describe yourself in 3 words

Determined, funny, relaxed

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Personal data

Birthday:

17. Jan 1991

Place of birth:

Pieksämäki (FIN)

Nationality:

Finnish

Interests:

Mountain biking, spending time with family

WRC Facts

First Event:

Rally de Portugal (2017)

First Victory:

Rally Finland (2017)

Co-Driver:
With Hyundai:

Since 2023

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