Hyundai Motorsport announced that Esapekka Lappi will drive its third Rally1 car at Rally Chile, scheduled for 10‑13 September.
The South Korean team has rotated three drivers across the same gear each gravel round: Lappi, New Zealander Hayden Paddon and veteran Dani Sordo. After retiring from Rally Finland, Lappi and co‑driver Enni Malkonen were unsure of further seats, until the club confirmed the Chile outing.
Earlier in the season the cars were split between Sordo and Lappi, but Hyundai handed the entry to Paddon for Rally Paraguay, giving the New Zealander his first gravel start of the campaign.
“Back in the hot seat, Lappi and Malkonen return to our line‑up for Rally Chile,” the team posted on social media. Photo by McKlein Photography / LAT Images via Getty Images.
Lappi’s last run in Chile was a sixth‑place finish in 2019 with Citroën; both 2023 and 2024 attempts ended in retirement. “We always push to win, regardless of the rally’s level,” he said after defending the Finnish Championship, setting up a high‑stakes return.
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