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Karting experience helped Lappi

Esapekka Lappi believes his experience of go-karting helped him tackle the twisty asphalt roads and claim stage wins at the Corsica Linea - Tour de Corse last weekend.

The Toyota driver was a Finnish karting champion in his youth and he was able to apply those techniques to the Yaris.

"I think the background in go-karts helped me choose the best line through wider tests like the first stage and the Power Stage," he explained. "I could see black lines on the road from the cars in front, and sometimes they were not the same as the line I would choose. That was maybe where I was making a difference."

Lappi admitted he wasn't entirely surprised to be so fast on asphalt, winning four stages over the course of the weekend - including the Power Stage on Sunday afternoon.

He added: "On asphalt, you just know when you have the speed. You can really feel the grip and if you are on the limit of the tyres all the time you know it will be a good stage."

Lappi's pace on Saturday and Sunday was assisted by adjustments to his car's suspension and differentials on Friday night.

He also benefitted from new stages this year that didn't favour those with prior experience.

"In the new stages were able to adjust the set-up and be on the pace immediately, but on the stages from last year the prior knowledge of other drivers gave them the edge," Lappi explained.

Zdroj: wrc.com