F1 still keeps the former formula star busy. Instead, cooperation with Russia is over.
Former F1 driver Mika Salo is a busy man.
– In addition to the Viaplay work, I will continue as an F1 judge. In addition, I follow my own son’s driving in Japan a bit. I’m trying to give him some advice, Salo tells Iltalehte.
Max Salo, 21, will compete next season in Japan in GT cars. The land of the rising sun is a familiar place for father Mika. He drove there for years before entering Formula One in 1994. Max’s mother and Salo’s ex-wife are also from Japan Noriko Salo.
Max Salo races with McLaren. Mika Salo competed in Formula 1 in the 1999 season with Ferrari, and after his Formula career, he made a handsome career with the Italian brand’s cars in GT races.
– It doesn’t matter at all. It’s nice that Max gets to drive, dad mumbles.
Cooperation with Russia ended
Just a couple of years ago, Salo was strongly involved in a Russian project, which was meant to raise young drivers from our eastern neighbor to the top of motorsport.
Salo was the sports manager of a project called SMP.
Salo says that the SMP collaboration ended years ago.
– I finished things a long time ago. It started to have so many problems that it was better to end the game early, Salo says.
After Russia attacked Ukraine in February of last year, Russian athletes have not exactly been tolerated in international sports events. There are still a few involved in car racing, but no new ones are coming.
– As far as I’ve been following their activities, they seem to be only minding their own business in Russia. Nothing seems to come of that effort, Salo states.
Robert Shwartzman was still a hot formula promise a couple of years ago. However, the F1 dream of the 23-year-old Ferrari junior academy graduate seems to be over.
– He’s still rapping along. Robert even changed to Israeli citizenship last year so he could continue, but it doesn’t seem like anything will come of it, says Salo.
2023 Shwartzman works as a reserve driver for the Ferrari F1 team. In addition, he drives endurance races with the Italian brand’s equipment.
Mika Salo continues as Viaplay’s F1 expert. PASI LEISMA