The layout is familiar from cross-country skiing or javelin throwing. The Finn is on top and the Norwegian is second.
However, now it’s all about formulas, more precisely the Middle East Formula Regional series. After two race weekends, Finland shines handsomely as the top name in the series Tuukka Taponen before Norway Martinius Stenshornea.
However, from Taponen’s point of view, the situation looks even more delicious, because the Norwegian teammate is not driving a full series. The third in the series Taylor Barnard is 31 points away from Finland’s super talent.
In any case, 17-year-old Stenshorne is a valid measuring stick for a Finnish promise of the same age. Last year, he was a handsome second runner-up in the European series of the corresponding category Kimi Antonelli after.
Read more: Comment: The superstar gets a taste of his own medicine
Stenshorne had the R-Ace GP team’s equipment at his disposal, which Taponen will drive all year round this year.
– He has driven for this team for one season and he can tell me about the car. However, he is Nordic and has the same style as me. You can compare data and see where you are losing and where you are faster, Taponen says.
Taponen’s year in the new class has started in a great way. Already in the opening of the season, he was second, but in the second weekend the going was even worse. Two poles and two wins.
– Exceeded expectations. Last year, R-Ace GP did not convince in this Middle East series. This is not the main goal for them, but it is in the European series, which will be run later, Taponen commented to Urheilu after the opening weekend of the racing series.
The team’s competition equipment now looks very good. Last year’s brilliant Mumbai Falcons have clearly been overshadowed by Taponen’s team.
There are still three race weekends left.
– The team now knows more about the series. I claim that I’m not a bad driver, so I can easily get up to speed, says Taponen confidently.
The flip side of popularity
Having won the karting world championship and three World Cup medals, Taponen is Finland’s hottest formula promise at the moment. Taponen, who recently started his second year as Ferrari’s academy driver, competed in formulas for the first time last year.
At the beginning of the year, he was a wonderful second in the Middle East F4 series. In the most important series, Italian F4, Taponen started promisingly, but the season eventually became more challenging.
In the final points, he was fifth and the second best among newcomers. However, Taponen expected more.
– The tests looked good. Small things paid off in a big way. There were also things like crashes that I couldn’t do anything about. It was the first season with a formula car. Everything was new anyway.
In Italy, Taponen belonged to the top team Prema. It is currently the leading stable in small formulas.
Popularity also has its flip side, which Taponen noticed. Prema can drive drivers from different F1 academy at the same time.
For example, last year Premalla Taponen was Ferrari’s Arvid Lindblad Red Bull as well Ugo Ugochukwu in turn, a McLaren Academy driver. Both finished ahead of Taponen in the points.
There were a total of six Prema drivers who drove the entire season.
– When there are so many drivers in the team, it is difficult to get the best equipment and service. Compared to the beginning of the season, the driving progressed from the end of the season, but the results did not.
– I understand very well that there are other Academy drivers who want to be served as well as possible. But then there is not necessarily even a chance to win the competition, Taponen points out.
Lindblad and Ugochukwu, who were Taponen’s main opponents last year, are now only fifth and sixth in the Middle East series.
Tough decision
Taponen made a tough decision with his background team and decided to switch to the ranks of R-Ace GP. There, the Finn can enjoy the position of number one driver.
The team is also competitive, because last season in the European Regional class, team drivers Stenshorne and Tim Tramnitz were second and third in the final points.
– I play a really good role in this team. Results are expected from me, but I also want to do it, says Taponen.
In the Middle East Regional series, Tapose has several familiar opponents from last year’s formula and karting. Among the drivers in the class, for example, Lindblad drives in F3 instead of Regional in the summer.
Due to his level, Taponen could already drive in F3 this year, but he does not want to correct. Regional is the fourth highest formula class in the FIA hierarchy after the F1, F2 and F3 series.
It is significant that Taponen has beaten several drivers in the Middle East series who drive at a higher level in the summer.
– Lindblad decided to jump directly over the Regional. It is of course a risk and will cost more. He has only driven one year in formula cars like me. It’s possible, but it doesn’t always make sense.
– Among the drivers who drive here, for example, Taylor Barnard and Mari Boya have driven one season in F3 and will continue there this year. I don’t consider them to be any harder drivers than that. It’s not that much of a surprise that I’m on par with them or even faster.
The other side of the relaxed F1 boss
Moving to another team was also the responsibility of Ferrari and its team manager by Frédéric Vasseur will. The 55-year-old French leader has become familiar to Finns Kimi Räikkönen mixed Valtteri Bottas as a boss at Alfa Romeo.
He was washed up for Ferrari a year ago. As the team manager of Ferrari’s F1 team, he wants to take a somewhat exceptional position on the Academy’s activities as well.
– In previous years, at least at Ferrari, it has not been the case that the team manager is so strongly involved in the academy activities. It seems that Fred wants to get a lot of good drivers. That’s why they saw this team change as the best for me.
The French team manager is considered a fun-loving and relaxed team manager, who has been seen in the pits chasing his drivers with a water gun, among other things.
R-Ace GP is a French organization, so it is easier for Vasseur to communicate with the team.
– We haven’t had much contact yet. But when I’ve seen him, he seems quite strict and direct. It should be in such situations. I think he’s a good guy.
More than 300 days abroad
Taponen’s background team has an important Finnish factor this season. Used to be very successful in small formulas Aaro Vainio30, works as a youngster’s driving coach.
He has worked in the R-Ace stable before the Russian by Robert Shwartzman as a driving coach. Vainio is with Taponen in all the Middle East competitions.
– He knows people from Ferrari. Aaro has also driven himself and worked as a race engineer. He also had a good formula career, so he can help with the things he missed. He is able to act as an intermediary between me and my team.
Taponen currently lives mainly at Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello. He and the other Academy drivers are picked up from their home to the factory, where there are various activities.
– We do gym training there. There is cooking school, we go swimming or boxing. There may be various meetings before the race weekend. The operation is very active, says Taponen.
In Finland, he mostly goes to visit.
– Last year I was away from Finland for more than 300 days. It was quite comfortable to travel, says Taponen.