M-Sport Ford pair join Estonia build-up event

Lappi will drive a Fiesta World Rally Car from ex-M-Sport factory driver Janne Tuohino’s JanPro Racing squad. Fellow Finn Suninen will pilot a privately-entered Fiesta R5.

The two-day event (22 - 23 August) has attracted entries from all three of the WRC’s manufacturer teams. They are keen to give their drivers competition time after the lockdown break on roads similar to those that will be used on the WRC’s Rally Estonia (4 - 6 September).

Hyundai Motorsport is expected to field both world champion and home hero Ott Tänak and team-mate Thierry Neuville in i20 World Rally Cars.

Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans will compete in Toyota Gazoo Racing Yaris World Rally Cars, while rumours persist that there could be a third car for team-mate Kalle Rovanperä.

Lappi’s plans to return to the wheel at last weekend’s Jämsän Äijät Ralli in Finland were scrapped when a broken turbo sidelined the JanPro Racing car after just 300 metres of a pre-event test. Suninen has not driven since finishing third at Rally Guanajuato Mexico in March.

Lõuna-Eesti Rally begins with a short opening leg comprising three stages on the evening of Saturday 22 August before eight more stages the following day. It adds up to 101.50km of action.

• Full coverage from Rally Estonia will be available on WRC+ All Live here, including every stage broadcast as it happens as well as key interviews, features and expert analysis from the service park.