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Chile has proved challenging for the Finn. In 2023, Lappi rolled his car on the opening special stage, while a year later his rally ended in retirement from eighth place just before the Power Stage after an eventful run. The past is the past, however, and after a year away Lappi is looking forward to what could be his final outing in a Rally1 car. “I really like the roads, and it will be great to get back in a Rally1 car. I have enjoyed the stages there in the past, so I’m looking forward to returning.” “The weather has been challenging on several occasions, so that could be a factor again this year. The roads are also tricky because, on Friday, you normally drive between gravel banks with no room to run wide. You need to be precise and fully committed because even a small mistake can cost a lot.” Lappi’s season at the wheel of the Hyundai has been inconsistent. In Sweden in February, he was the team’s strongest driver on outright pace, but the rallies in which he was expected to produce a strong performance fell well short of expectations. In Estonia, Lappi was completely at sea in terms of pace, and driving felt anything but natural for the two-time WRC event winner. His pace was a step better in Finland, but he ran out of road on Friday’s third special stage. The roll was severe enough to damage the Hyundai’s roll cage, bringing his rally to an end. This time, the focus is not so much on the result itself but on rediscovering the enjoyment of driving. “In terms of pace, the target is to be somewhere between Estonia and Finland, as well as having lots of fun.” “We want to keep improving throughout the weekend and support the team with a good result. Enjoyment is important because, without it, the results don’t come,” Lappi emphasises.