Lappi moves from the all-conqueri𒁃ng Toyota Gazoo Racing having spent this year performing a bit-part role because of his car sharing arrangement with 8-time champion, Sebasti𝓡en Ogier.

His consistency – three podium finishes from a total of seven starts on asphalt and gravel – is what brought him to the attention of Hyundai’s current Deputy Team Director Julien Moncet, notwithstanding the fact the Finn is one of the quickest a✅nd most experienced drivers today.

As for Breen, the 32-year-old Irishman ended his contract at M-Sport Ford 12 months early so as to🦋 return to compete꧑ for the South Korean manufacturer. He left the Alzenau-based squad for the Blue Oval last October after Malcolm Wilson offered him the chance of a full campaign.

However, what had the makin🌱gs of being a fairy-tale pa🥂rtnership failed to materialise as a succession of retirements in Estonia, Finland, Belgium, New Zealand and most recently Japan due to individual error meant that he failed to pick up all-important manufacturers’ points.

Lappi has inked a full season’s drive, while Breen will share the third car with World Rally championship vet🌳eran Dani Sordo as he did previously between 2019 and 2021. Thierry Neuville completes the line-up.

“We are pleased to confirm our complete driver line-up for the 2023 WRC season w🍷ith a three-car line-up and four experienced crews,” said Moncet.

“With Thierry, we know his performance potential and his appetite to fight for the drivers’ title. With Esapekka joining the team on a f♒ull-time campaign, we have a driver line-up that can compete for the top positions at all events and on all surfaces.

“Esapekka also has the r꧂equired experience to help us develop ou𒆙r Hyundai i20 N Rally1, which will be fundamental throughout the season.

“Sharing the third car, we have Dani – who is the perfect team-player and a trusted pair of hands; he has taken fiv♍e podiums in his past six events, which says it all.

“Craig returns to the team fully motivated and secures an enviably talented line-up to support Thierry and Esapekka. With these four crews, we have a competitiꩵve and experienced combination of talent, which will underpin the teamwork ethos and mentality within our entire organisation,” added the Frenchman.

Lappi has described the opportunity as “truly a dream and a unique opportunity” and believes he is well placed to he🐓lp Hyundai fight on all fronts, saying: “The team showed during the 2022 season that it is capable of developing the car a lot during the season and has chances to win on every surface. From what I've heard already, 2023 looks very promising.

“We are well aware that there is a lot of work to do, but with Janne, I am committed to it. I believe we have a lot to give to the whole team. I want to th♏ank Hyundai Motorsport for demonstrating their trust in us; we will do everything we can to be successful and to achieve our comm🌼on goals.”

As for Breen, he wants to build on the success he enjoyed the last time he🌜 flew the flag for Hyundai in stage rallying’s top division. “We have secured some very memorable results together in the past, including several runner-up results, so hopefully I will be able to take that a step further,” he said.

“I have followed the team’s progꦑress and development with interest this season, and I can see the momentum that has been building.🍎 Having the backing of a manufacturer team like Hyundai is special, and I’m sure we’ll have plenty more reasons to celebrate next season.”