Esapekka Lappi, the Finnish rally driver representing Hyundai, experienced a slight scare during the shakedown ahead of the second round of the WRC series in Umeå, Northern Sweden. While he was among the Finnish drivers participating in the event, Lappi's shakedown did not go as smoothly as planned when he accidentally veered off into a snowbank. Fortunately, he was able to reverse the car back onto the track with no significant damage. Lappi humorously remarked after his initial run that he hopes not to encounter similar issues throughout the competition, indicating a light-hearted attitude towards the hiccup.

This weekend's rally promises to be an exciting event, especially given the strong presence of Finnish competitors. Alongside Lappi, Sami Pajari set the fastest time during the shakedown, showcasing the competitiveness of the local drivers in both the main category and the Rally2 class, which features a number of Finnish crews. The event is anticipated to draw considerable attention as it unfolds in Umeå, with the actual rally kickstarting with a special stage in the city on Thursday evening.

As Lappi prepares for the main event, he expressed his determination to win, noting that unlike the Monte Carlo rally, which was challenging for them, this event provides them a fresh opportunity to demonstrate their skills. The rally community and fans alike will be watching closely to see how the Finnish drivers, particularly Lappi and Pajari, perform in this crucial competition in their home turf, enhancing the local spirit of rally racing.