Wednesday | 19 Aug 2015

Lappi focused on WRC 2 hat-trick in Germany

Title heavyweights Esapekka Lappi and Nasser Al-Attiyah come face to face for the first time on asphalt at ADAC Rallye Deutschland (20 - 23 August) in what could prove a defining weekend in WRC 2.

After victories in Poland and Finland, Lappi leads the series by three points in his Skoda Fabia R5. However, fifth-placed Al-Attiyah is the Finn’s closest rival entered in Germany and the Qatari has a 10 point gap to erase.

The Czech car claimed 1-2 finishes in both the last two rounds and Al-Attiyah has switched from a Ford Fiesta RRC to a Fabia R5 in a bid to boost his challenge for the title he won last year.

Lappi’s biggest opposition could come from within his own team, as Jan Kopecký returns for a second WRC 2 outing in a Fabia R5. The 33-year-old is undefeated in the Czech Rally Championship this year and finished fifth overall in Germany in 2007.

Likely to go well on home ground are Armin Kremer and German championship frontrunner Fabian Kreim, both of whom will also be in Fabia R5s.

Nasser Al-Attiyah - switches to Fabia R5

Craig Breen aims to put the disappointment of non-finishes in Portugal and Finland behind him in his troublesome Peugeot 208 T16, while reigning French champion Julien Maurin will be another frontrunner in a Fiesta RRC.

Finn Teemu Suninen steps up to a Fiesta R5 for only his second asphalt rally and his first in a R5 car. He joins Eric Camilli in a two-car Team Oreca line-up and has been confirmed for rounds in France and Spain alongside his fellow Toyota Motorsport junior development colleague.

Nils Solans replaces Bernardo Sousa in ACSM Rallye Team’s 208 T16 while Martin Koči is strong on asphalt and could feature in another T16.

Production Cup leader Gianluca Linari is absent and Max Rendina, who lies six points behind his fellow Italian, has the chance to vault into top spot in his Mitsubishi Lancer.

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