Lappi claims championship title with Rally Australia win

Skoda works duo Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm clinch the drivers’ and codrivers’ title in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2) with victory at the Rally Australia.

November 20, 2016

Skoda works duo Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm clinch the drivers’ and codrivers’ title in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2) with victory at the Rally Australia.

The “Flying Finns” Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm are crowned World Champions. With their commanding victory at the Rally Australia, the ŠKODA works duo clinched the drivers’ and co-drivers’ title in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2) for the first time and were over the moon as they climbed onto the roof of the winning FABIA R5 after crossing the finish line. ŠKODA Motorsport was also victorious in the team standings of the WRC 2 and with this triple title celebrates one of the greatest successes in its 115-year history.

Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm’s victory was never in doubt on the approximate 280 classified kilometres of the Rally Australia on difficult gravel tracks. With the best time on the first special stage on Friday, the Finns took the lead in the WRC 2 and extended it steadily with further top times. Despite the dust and the heat, Lappi maintained a clear view at the wheel, won a total of 22 of the 23 stages, and finished with an impressive advantage of 4:35.8 minutes over brand colleague Nicolás Fuchs (PE) in a privateer ŠKODA FABIA R5. Esapekka Lappi set further milestones with his fourth win in a row.

“I am over the moon. This is one of the biggest days in my life as a rally driver! The nervous tension ahead of the Rally Australia was high, but fortunately Janne and I kept a cool head throughout and clinched the deserved victory for the entire team. Thanks to the entire team at ŠKODA Motorsport, who always provided us with a perfect car. Now we can celebrate together,” said Lappi.

25-year-old Esapekka Lappi celebrates the greatest success of his career with the championship victory in the WRC 2. He clinched the European championship title in 2014, but this year’s victory over the best drivers and cars in the WRC 2 class is to be rated even more highly.

Final standings at the Rally Australia (WRC 2):

  1. Lappi/Ferm (FIN/FIN) ŠKODA FABIA R5 2:53:38.0 hrs
  2. Fuchs/Mussano (PE/ARG) ŠKODA FABIA R5 + 4:35.8 min.
  3. Ptaszek/Szczepaniak (PL/PL) Ford Fiesta R5 + 6:42.9 min.