Emma Kimiläinen, who has excelled in motor sports, is making a new conquest of the area. Kimiläinen, 34, competes this season in the World Series of fully electric E1 motorboats.
Emma Kimiläinen the new employer is one of the world’s most famous athletes, an American football superstar Tom Brady.
Brady’s team chose the Finn as their second race driver based on the displays given at the driver academy events. Each team has both male and female drivers.
– Super cool. When I first heard about this series, I thought it was a joke to make Brady’s team. I thought that they wouldn’t choose me since I’m not American, Kimiläinen told Urheiluin from Saudi Arabia.
The seven-race E1 series starts in Saudi Arabia on the first weekend of February.
In the pits, there was first false information that another team had caught Kimiläinen. Finnish mechanic of Brady’s team Mikael Cederberg told his people that Kimiläinen would indeed be free.
– It was reportedly clear to Brady’s team that they wanted me. They said they wanted the best drivers. But in the end, “Mikke” was the unifying factor, says Kimiläinen.
– It has been made clear that only the world championship will do. You have to try to be trustworthy.
A new challenge
RaceBird boats of the E1 series are a completely new type of racing boats. According to Kimiläinen, they combine sailing and F1 boats.
Since the entire Boat Type is new to everyone, he doesn’t have to enter the competition from behind either. Kimiläinen’s teammate Sam Coleman has been developing a boat type.
– He probably has the most experience with these boats. I think I will learn a lot from him.
Kimiläinen is known to master vehicles with an engine. However, water as an element and a boat as a vehicle are new acquaintances for him.
– I had never even driven a houseboat before! The craziest thing is, I’m terribly seasick. But at least I haven’t felt bad in that little booth yet.
– Water and the sea change their shape all the time. When I don’t come from this sport, “reading” the water is the most challenging.
E1 boats travel at their fastest speed of 60 knots, or about 110 kilometers per hour.
– It’s in the water a lot. What’s particularly cool about these boats is their sensitivity. The senses must be awake all the time. The feeling when driving is quite similar to that of a snowmobile.
In terms of publicity value, the contract with Brady’s team is significant in terms of Finnish sports.
– Financially, this means that I can still pursue my profession. This is also wonderful because last season both the W Series and the STCC series were cancelled.
Harri Pirinen