Citroen's flying Finns grab second place on home turf
08 Aug 2019|2,890 views
With the final leg starting on the stage for which they were absent last year, Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm knew that a tough job lay ahead of them. Their lack of presence in 2018 also meant that they had no experience of driving the second stage of the loop at full speed.
In control of proceedings throughout the weekend in the C3 WRC, the Finns nonetheless had to show great steel as they headed into the final stage. After limiting the time lost on the first runs, and confirming their pace notes, they moved clear of the third-placed crew on the second pass. They then went on to equal their best result so far with the Red Army, who were runners-up in Sweden, to secure a richly deserved podium at their home round.
Esapekka and Janne showed their intentions right from the word go, setting the second fastest time - just a tenth down on the lead time - on the first proper stage. They then confirmed this promising start as they made it to the end of the opening leg in third position, just 2.4 seconds off the pace.
Full of confidence in the C3 WRC which leaves no margin for error, they further improved on Saturday's leg with two more stage wins amidst the four-way battle for the lead - taking them up to second place, with a lead of 12.4 seconds. It is an advantage that they managed masterfully, showing their experience and ability to deal with whatever was thrown at them.
Second on the road on Friday and therefore obliged to sweep the fine layer of loose gravel off the roads, Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia managed to limit the time lost, ending the day in seventh position, just 12.9 seconds off the podium. Unfortunately, Sebastien then suffered a disrupted night's sleep after falling ill and was forced to set his sights for Saturday's leg. He nonetheless showed great persistence and determination to fight against the exhaustion and moved up to fifth overall, within striking distance of fourth place.
Having enjoyed a better night's sleep, he went back on the offensive on Sunday with the same tenacity, but missed out on fourth place by just 2.7 seconds. The points scored at this rally, including two bonus points earned in the Power Stage, means he still lies second in the drivers' championship and in contention for a seventh consecutive world title.
With the final leg starting on the stage for which they were absent last year, Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm knew that a tough job lay ahead of them. Their lack of presence in 2018 also meant that they had no experience of driving the second stage of the loop at full speed.
In control of proceedings throughout the weekend in the C3 WRC, the Finns nonetheless had to show great steel as they headed into the final stage. After limiting the time lost on the first runs, and confirming their pace notes, they moved clear of the third-placed crew on the second pass. They then went on to equal their best result so far with the Red Army, who were runners-up in Sweden, to secure a richly deserved podium at their home round.
Esapekka and Janne showed their intentions right from the word go, setting the second fastest time - just a tenth down on the lead time - on the first proper stage. They then confirmed this promising start as they made it to the end of the opening leg in third position, just 2.4 seconds off the pace.
Full of confidence in the C3 WRC which leaves no margin for error, they further improved on Saturday's leg with two more stage wins amidst the four-way battle for the lead - taking them up to second place, with a lead of 12.4 seconds. It is an advantage that they managed masterfully, showing their experience and ability to deal with whatever was thrown at them.
Second on the road on Friday and therefore obliged to sweep the fine layer of loose gravel off the roads, Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia managed to limit the time lost, ending the day in seventh position, just 12.9 seconds off the podium. Unfortunately, Sebastien then suffered a disrupted night's sleep after falling ill and was forced to set his sights for Saturday's leg. He nonetheless showed great persistence and determination to fight against the exhaustion and moved up to fifth overall, within striking distance of fourth place.
Having enjoyed a better night's sleep, he went back on the offensive on Sunday with the same tenacity, but missed out on fourth place by just 2.7 seconds. The points scored at this rally, including two bonus points earned in the Power Stage, means he still lies second in the drivers' championship and in contention for a seventh consecutive world title.
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