The excellent season of Ferrari’s 16-year-old Finnish junior can culminate in the jackpot on Sunday.
Tuukka Taponen drove twice in second place in the Middle East Formula 4 series on Saturday’s race starts in Abu Dhabi.
In both races marked by safety cars, only the top name in the series and a team mate drove ahead of Taponen James Wharton. Taponen attacked alongside Wharton at the start of both races, but the Finn couldn’t get past.
The 16-year-old Finnish promise, who continued his strong hold in the series, secured at least second place in the series with his driving performance. Wharton is already an almost certain champion. Taponen needs a win in Sunday’s last start of the season and a complete collapse of Wharton.
The difference is 20 points in favor of Wharton. You get 25 points for a win, so Taponen must win. In that case, Wharton is allowed to rank no higher than eighth.
The championship would therefore require a performance similar to Kimi Räikkönen with a sensational championship season in formula one in 2007. As that season taught everyone, you should never give up too early.
In any case, the F4 season in the Middle East has been successful for Tapose. Ferrari’s Finnish junior driver has already secured the rookie drivers’ championship in the series.
Wharton, along with a bunch of other top drivers in the series, had already driven in the series in previous years. The success of the Finnish driver, despite his inexperience, increases the value of his performance.
Sunday is the last start of the Middle East F4 series. Taponen, who has slim championship hopes, goes to the race to get his fifth victory in the series.
The main target of Taponen’s season is the Italian F4 series starting in April. In it, a Finnish driver drives in the ranks of the series’ powerhouse Prema. In the Middle East F4 series, the team has been Mumbai Falcons, an elite team as well.
Tuukka Taponen will fight for the championship of the Middle East F4 series until the end. Miia Sirén