M-Sport team boss, Richard Millener is predicting fine form from Esapekka Lappi when the WRC season restarts. The Finn had solid results in the first two rounds of the season, before a fire destroyed his Fiesta in Mexico. “He knows what it takes to get comfortable in a new car,” said Millener. “We’ve seen how the speed comes when he does settle in. That victory in Finland [in 2017] was very impressive for Toyota. And last year, once he was more comfortable with the car, he was definitely there. “He’s still finding his feet a little bit with us and this lay-off hasn’t helped. Just as we were starting to build the experience, we’ve gone into lockdown and not been able to do any testing. I’m sure it won’t take him long to come back once we’re back in the car.” Lappi's future with the team is well on the radar of the British based team. “There’s no doubt Esapekka’s still on his way up. That was one of the key reasons we brought him to the team. We wanted a driver who hadn’t plateaued and was still developing,” he said. “We brought him here with a longer-term view for the team. He’s a driver we can work with in the future and into the next generation [of cars]. “As well as that, it’s good to have him working with Teemu [Suninen] as well. I’m sure having a fellow Finn in the team will help bring Teemu’s speed out more. There’s naturally a good way for them to work together.”

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