Esapekka Lappi Takes Rally Sweden on a Weather-Challenged Friday

Friday at the Rally of Sweden was full of surprises and dramatic changes in leadership, with Esapekka Lappi from Hyundai taking the lead after surpassing Takamoto Katsuta from Toyota. The day was characterized by snowstorms that completely transformed the competition, creating a challenging scenario for all drivers.

Dominating three of the four evening stages, Lappi demonstrated his skill in handling extremely difficult conditions, which ultimately allowed him to overtake Katsuta and gain a 3.2-second lead at the end of eight of the 18 stages. The snow, which accumulated over 10 cm in some sections, presented a unique challenge that Lappi managed to use to his advantage.

In an impressive display of talent, Oliver Solberg, competing in WRC2, took advantage of the more favorable track conditions to finish third overall, a remarkable feat in his Toksport Skoda Fabia. Adrien Fourmaux and Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five, while Thierry Neuville, despite facing fuel pressure issues, managed to stay in the competition.

The afternoon stages, particularly affected by the snow, leveled the playing field, allowing the Rally2 drivers, who were further back in the starting sequence, to take advantage of cleaner tracks. This was evidenced when Georg Linnamae, driving the new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, took a stage victory.

Neuville faced additional challenges in stage six, with issues starting his car and a poorly secured hood, resulting in a time penalty. Despite these setbacks, he managed to surpass Evans, although the latter suggested that Neuville's problems might have been a tactical move, something Neuville denied.

Lappi ended the day with a victory in stage eight, consolidating his leadership and making it clear that he is in a strong position to compete for the win. With the weather conditions playing a crucial role, the Rally of Sweden promises more action and possible twists in the coming days. The drivers' ability to adapt to these demanding circumstances will continue to be key in determining the outcome of this exciting competition.