TOYOTA GAZOO TEAM BOSS TOMMI MÄKINEN SAYS ESAPEKKA LAPPI’S VICTORY AT NESTE RALLY FINLAND REMINDS HIM OF HIS OWN MAIDEN WRC RALLY SUCCESS AT THE SAME EVENT 23 YEARS AGO.World Rally Car newcomer Lappi claimed a stunning debut victory on home ground last weekend, underlining his position as one of Finland’s – and the championship’s – brightest young talents.
Paying tribute to his driver, Mäkinen said the 26-year-old’s home win in a Yaris brought back memories of his own success at the 1994 1000 Lakes Rally driving a Ford Escort RS Cosworth.
Mäkinen went on to be one of the most successful WRC drivers of all time, winning four drivers titles with Mitsubishi from 1996 to 1999.
“I still remember my first time winning here in Finland and it was exactly a weekend like this,” Makinen said.
“I remember every moment, even though it is over 20 years ago now, and I’m sure Esapekka and Janne [Ferm] will be just the same.”
“I had a very, very strong feeling before the rally that Esapekka could do this. I knew that he could easily concentrate for this kind of moment and I was absolutely confident that he could do it.
“All our drivers did an extreme job this weekend – I’m absolutely happy and thankful for the whole team.”
Mäkinen also thanked his technical team for the results of an intensive car development programme that started after Rally Guanajuato Mexico in March.
“We started constant development with our car in every different area. We went step by step and we continued testing,” he said.
“We noticed already in Poland that we were on a good level. We had a pretty massive test programme here in Finland after the Polish rally and all of us know we made a step forward.
“I would say we now feel far more confident to be there from now onwards. We have done massive work during this year. That was our target; to be strong and keep improving and we have done good work. It’s good thanks to all of our team members who have done that.”