Driver Profile
From Domestic Competition to the World Championship
Lappi comes from Finland and initially competed in circuit racing before switching to rallying. His record includes Finnish and European titles, as well as the 2016 WRC2 championship. Those seasons at different levels helped him progress towards the top class. The WRC2 title relates to results in Rally2 and under the corresponding regulations of the time; it is not equivalent to the WRC drivers’ world championship.
In 2017, Lappi claimed his first overall WRC victory in Finland, driving a Toyota. That maiden win on home soil marked an important step from class champion to contender at the highest level, while also making high-speed gravel rallies a notable part of his career story.
The Hyundai Years and Victory in Sweden
After joining Hyundai in 2023, Lappi continued competing in the top class and claimed his second overall WRC victory in Sweden in 2024. Finland and Sweden offer representative examples of his performances on high-speed gravel and on snow and ice respectively; these two different surfaces should not be treated as identical conditions.
In 2025, he switched to the Finnish national championship and won the title alongside Enni Mälkönen. That season kept the crew race-sharp and established a working partnership for their return to the WRC in 2026. Their return to the top class did not come after years without competing at all.
The 2026 Rotating Seat and Co-driver
Driving the No. 4 Hyundai i20 N Rally1, Lappi is one of the drivers rotating through Hyundai’s third car, sharing that part of the line-up with Sordo and Paddon. The rotating programme means competing on assigned rounds, unlike the full-season schedules of the two regular crews, but still offers the chance to fight for overall honours and manufacturers’ points.
His co-driver Mälkönen won the 2024 WRC2 co-drivers’ title before teaming up with Lappi in Finnish domestic competition. Their respective achievements come from different stages of their careers. The current crew can include both a WRC rally-winning driver and a WRC2 champion co-driver, but the levels of their titles should not be confused.
What to Watch
Editorial perspective: When watching Lappi, look at how a rotating driver quickly builds speed after limited pre-event testing and turns experience on favoured surfaces into a result over the whole rally. When comparing performances across rounds, consider whether he has only just returned to the car, his experience of the surface and his starting position. A stage win demonstrates attacking ability, while consistent finishes and limiting unexpected losses reflect how well the assignment has been carried out.
How Results Are Counted
Overall Rally1 results, WRC2 class results, fastest stage times and full-season titles are recorded separately. This page is a snapshot; for the latest drivers’ and FIA manufacturers’ points, please see this site’s standings.
Last checked: 1 October 2026 · Historical statistics and current points are maintained separately