Tuukka Taponen admitted to Ferrari Racing Academy

In October, the final qualifying round of the competition took place in Maranello, the winner of which was given the right to study at the Ferrari Racing Academy. Six young riders took part in the final and today the name of a new listener was mentioned in the Scuderia. They became 16-year-old kart driver Tuukka Taponen.

Tuukka Taponen was born on October 26, 2006 in Lohja, Finland. His first major karting success came in 2020 when he finished third in the OKJ category in the final of the European Karting Championship. In 2021 Taponen made his debut in the OK class and became world champion on his first attempt. In 2022, the Finn moved to the KZ category, where he performed well.

In a few days, Tuukka will arrive at the Ferrari base in Maranello, where his training will begin. The race schedule for 2023 will be announced shortly.

Marco Matassa, head of the Ferrari Racing Academy: “I am delighted to welcome Tuukka to the Ferrari Racing Academy. We kept a close eye on him last year and saw the potential he showed this season. In the past year he has matured and has other important skills in addition to sheer speed: the ability to work with engineers and provide feedback, as well as the ability to follow instructions.

On the Formula 4 circuit, Tuukka immediately impressed us with his speed and how quickly he learns, given his little experience in formulas. He also proved that he has a solid foundation and is ready to work hard – traits inherent in the most talented riders.”

Tuukka Taponen: “I am very happy to have been admitted to the Ferrari Racing Academy. I had a great experience to spend a week in Maranello and work on the track in Fiorano.

I can’t wait to join the academy along with the other guys and engineers I’ve already met on the track. I am very proud to wear a racing suit with a prancing Ferrari stallion.”