Quote Originally Posted by Allez Andruet View Post
Interview with Esapekka Lappi (in Finnish):
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/ralli/art-2000001944826.html

Lappi strongly denies signing any kind of contract with Toyota for 2017 and feels that now (after VW announcement) his chances to drive in WRC next season are quite slim.

"It doesn't look good for me. I can't compete against Ogier or Latvala (for the remaining WRC seats)."



If I was Tommi, I would much rather take Lappi than Latvala. Latvala clearly (based on 2016) is on his way down, but Lappi has some serious potential.
Brinkmanship on contracts has now (fortunately for him) put Tommi in a strong situation. I just wonder why he wouldn't have locked up a deal with Lappi by now? I don't believe for one second he knew this was going to happen at VW. Not sure if they were haggling over money, length of the deal or what. But if Lappi hasn't signed with Toyota he has really missed the boat here.

That said there are some tasty options if you are Dmack and can pull the money together for two cars.