Lancia has chosen Martins Sesks and Teemu Suninen to assist in the development of the new Ypsilon Rally2, with an eye towards the imminent Rally Finland. Both drivers are recognized for their skills on gravel surfaces, and their experience will be crucial for optimizing the vehicle ahead of the competition.
The development test took place on the fast gravel roads of Finland, as the country approaches the tenth round of the World Rally Championship, scheduled from July 30 to August 2. In this event, Lancia will unveil its new model, the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, which will compete with five vehicles.
Although Lancia has already achieved victories on asphalt this year with factory drivers Yohan Rossel and Nikolay Gryazin, who have triumphed in Croatia, the Canary Islands, and Japan, they still have the task of reaching the podium in comfortable gravel conditions.
To accomplish this, Rossel and Gryazin joined Sesks and Suninen during this week’s tests. The presence of the two drivers highlights the importance of having various viewpoints for vehicle optimization. ‘We are delighted to work with Martins and Teemu, as they bring valuable experience on surfaces they know well,’ a spokesperson for Lancia Corse stated.
Martins Sesks, who is currently participating in a partial WRC Rally1 campaign with M-Sport-Ford, began testing on Monday. He is expected to return to WRC competition next weekend at the Rally Estonia, before participating in the Rally Finland with a Ford Puma Rally1. Teemu Suninen, for his part, took command of the vehicle on Tuesday, just after finishing second in the Rally of Rome. Suninen balances an intense schedule in the European Rally Championship, which he currently leads, with his performances in WRC2.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
