Esapekka Lappi | Hyundai Motorsport

Facts about Esapekka

Nationality: Finland
Date of birth: 17. January 1991
Co-driver: Enni Mälkönen
With Hyundai Motorsport since:  2023-2024; 2026
WRC Starts: 90 (end of 2025)
Best Result (in the career): 5th (2018)

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.

Following a dominant season in the Finnish Championship, he moved to ERC before progressing to WRC2, where Esapekka won the 2016 title and subsequently earned a WRC seat for the following season. A debut win at his home event, Rally Finland, was the icing on the cake of his first season.

After joining our team in 2023, Esapekka took a long-awaited second victory at Rally Sweden in 2024. Following the retirement of co-driver Janne Ferm, EP teamed up with the 2024 FIA WRC2 co-drivers’ champion, Enni Mälkonen, to contest the Finnish Championship – and emphatically secured the title. The Finnish duo brings their dynamic new partnership into Rally1 in 2026.

Q&A with EP

What’s your favourite WRC round and why?

I won’t say the obvious, Finland, so I’d say Sardinia. I love the nature and the Service Park area, and the food, people and stages are nice. It’s the opposite to Finland, and the atmosphere is something completely different.

What do you do to focus before a rally?

Half of the time I play with the children because it’s a good balance, then the other half I watch the onboards and try to prepare myself the best way possible. Physical practice also helps too; if I go to the gym or go for a jog it suits me well.

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

A Formula 1 driver.

Who is your motorsport idol?

I don’t have just one. There’s plenty of famous drivers that I looked up to, especially when I was a young boy, but never just a single one.

What’s your secret to success?

Stupidity, sometimes!