Esapekka Lappi has his sights set on another Finnish season in 2026 after winning the 2025 title
Words by Luke Barry
Esapekka Lappi plans to defend his Finnish Rally title, having won the national championship for a second time.
The two-time World Rally Championship event winner missed the season-opener in Kuopio and was second to a standout Tuukka Kauppinen on Arctic Lapland Rally, but won every event thereafter in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Co-driven by Enni Mälkonen, the 34-year-old Finn secured his second Finnish title by 5.9 seconds on Seinajöki Ralli, having won the championship on his way up the rallying ladder in 2012.
Lappi’s vision is to defend the title in 2026.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed rallying this year more than I have in many years, so we’ll work to get it over the line next year as well.
“I would definitely like to continue as some kind of barometer for the younger ones. Let’s see what Enni has to say about the plans.”
Lappi’s last WRC appearance was Rally Chile 2024 for Hyundai, but he’s shown zero interest in returning to the world championship.
By contrast, Lappi’s Hyundai team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen is seeking to return to the top-flight and made his first start of the year at this weekend’s Rally Valli della Carnia in Italy.
Driving a Fabia RS Rally2, he would only finish 10th after a puncture on Friday evening.
Words:Luke Barry
Tags: Enni Mälkönen, Esapekka Lappi
Publish Date September 27, 2025 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2025/09/PeyCkVpr-554773221_1325622565596178_370030688269123952_n-780x780.jpg September 27, 2025
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