Lappi claims 4th and secures his best Monte result

Recovering from a difficult start, the Finns bounced back – learning with every kilometre and gaining confidence to head into the final day of competition in a battle for fourth place with nine-time World Champion Sébastien Loeb.

Putting the seven-time Monte winner under pressure, Lappi came out on top – securing the position as well as an additional point for the fifth fastest time through the Power Stage.

Lappi said:

“This is my best result from Monte and I think the best we could have done this weekend, so I am really happy with that. I managed to concentrate only on myself and what we were doing, and that seemed to work pretty well. It was a very challenging event and not always so easy, but we improved stage by stage and learnt a lot over the course of the weekend – so I’d say it’s been a positive start to the season.”