Lappi in control as Katsuta hits wall of snow at Rally of Sweden

English Woman's Journal - Lappi in control as Katsuta hits wall of snow at Rally of Sweden

SPORTS 17.02.2024

Lappi in control as Katsuta hits wall of snow at Rally of Sweden / Photo: Jonathan NACKSTRAND - AFP

Esapekka Lappi strengthened his grip on the Rally of Sweden on Saturday as Takamoto Katsuta spun off into a wall of snow on the treacherous winter track.

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Hyundai driver Lappi led his Japanese Toyota rival by just three seconds overnight but now goes into the final day 1min 06sec ahead of Ford's French driver Adrien Fourmaux instead.

Katsuta had slashed the lead to just a second on the ninth stage but careered off the road in the 10th and ended up with his car buried in deep snow.

"It's all under control," said Finland's Lappi. "I've been trying to save the tyres the whole afternoon and still be smart in terms of the pace."

With world champion Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak already out of the running after accidents, the 33-year-old is in prime position to win his first rally since Finland in 2017, which was also on snow.

Welshman Elfyn Evans, in a Toyota, is third at 1min 23sec. Belgian Thierry Neuville of Hyundai, at 2min 22sec, and Oliver Solberg behind the wheel of a Skoda, at 4min, round out the top five.

While Rovanpera and Tanak are out of contention for the overall win they did both win a special each on Saturday as they scramble for points in this second race of the championship.

Sunday's closing action has two regular special stages and a power special.

R.Wilson--EWJ

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English Woman's Journal - Lappi in control as Katsuta hits wall of snow at Rally of Sweden