WRC Rally Finland: Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm - Q&A
Rally Finland WRC2 post-event press conference with class winners, Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm
Driver / co-driver: Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm (Skoda Fabia R5).
Press conference
Q:
Esapekka congratulations, you've had a great event, how do you feel?
Esapekka Lappi:
I am the happiest man in the room for sure. Everything went like we planned as it did in Poland. The only target was to push on Friday, see how it goes. The others couldn't match the speed, so we cruise to the finish. Okay, not cruise, but enjoy...
Q:
Were you flat-out?
Esapekka Lappi:
Not in my opinion. It's difficult to judge, I don't know. I feel I can push more on many corners, it's quite difficult to do the perfect stage.
Q:
How much did you pull back the pace?
Esapekka Lappi:
You can ask the co-driver. Yesterday we wanted to control it. In the Surkee stage on both runs we were fastest, but I know this stage quite well from the past. On the others we lost one or we won one second to Pontus [Tidemand], just keeping the same speed as our team-mate. I think this is bad for his mentality...
Q:
This is a good confidence boost though?
Esapekka Lappi:
This one can be quite good for the standings. This one we know we are strong, but in Germany, this is not the strongest race for me. That will be the debut in WRC 2 on tarmac with our new car. We don't know what to expect to be honest.
Q:
How will you prepare for Germany?
Esapekka Lappi:
I'm not going to tell you. Last week we tested with one day in the vineyards and one day in Baumholder. I'm ready for the challenge now, we take two weeks holiday, stay at home.
Q:
Esapekka, you told me you have a secret to your preparation, will you share that with us now?
Esapekka Lappi:
I never told you I would tell you! I will continue to do it if it's working. So I will continue, but I will not tell you.
Q:
Janne what is it?
Janne Ferm:
No idea...
Q:
That's all you will be asked for the rest of your career...
Janne Ferm:
Excellent.
Q:
How do you feel?
Janne Ferm:
Thank you, first of all. There are no words to describe what this means... bloody good!
Q:
What was it like as an experience?
Janne Ferm:
Good question! I knew we could do well, especially on Friday - those stages we knew quite well and we were able to make the gap. After that, we follow the drivers lead, we avoid the rocks on Saturday and stay on the safe side. Friday, bloody hell it was brilliant to be sitting at his side.
Q: (from Lappi)
How hard did we push?
Janne Ferm:
99.2% approximately...
Q:
There were emotional scenes at the finish from you, Janne?
Janne Ferm:
It was the first time I screamed in a car!
Q:
Esapekka, can you confirm that?
Esapekka Lappi:
Yes, yes, but I was not sure if he was scared or what?
