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Lappi takes win, Hänninen third in Rally of Finland

Toyota's Finnish driver Esapekka Lappi won the Rally of Finland in fine style on Sunday, in his first ever victory in the World Rally Championship. His compatriot Juho Hänninen took third place, although Jari-Matti Latvala's technical problem on Saturday ruled him out of contention for the top spots.

Esapekka Lappi juhlii MM-rallin voittoa Tommi Mäkisen kanssa
Esapekka Lappi celebrates his win. Image: Tomi Hänninen

Finland's annual motorsport jamboree, the Rally of Finland, ended with Finns in first and third places on Sunday. Toyota's 26-year-old driver Esapekka Lappi took the win by a huge 36 second margin, his first ever victory in the World Rally Championship, while Juho Hänninen came third.

"Big thanks to the team and to the team principal Tommi Mäkinen," said Lappi after securing the win.

Elfyn Evans came second, with Hänninen following just 0.3 of a second behind him.

Teemu Suninen dropped from second to fourth spot after spinning on a special stage and was unable to challenge the top three.

Victory capped a rollercoaster rally for Lappi, who lost the lead to team-mate and fellow Finn Jari-Matti Latvala on Saturday before regaining it when Latvala had to stop because of a technical fault.

The next stage of the World Rally Championship takes place in Germany starting on 17 August.