Esapekka Lappi's management confirms he will stay with Skoda in 2016 to get experience of WRC events -
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/ralli/art-1438562463184.html
2017 is obviously a really big year in the WRC. New cars, likely plenty of movement in the driver market. So it gives them some options certainly. It also gives an insight perhaps into Skoda's plans next year - i.e. not good news for the ERC.
I don't see a point neither why he stuck with brand for so long. He could swtich, don't know to Toyota maybe and I bet they would take care of him better.
Silly Season 2026