Finland Getting Ready to Host a Formula One Race?

Published 01/17/2019, 1:24 PM EST

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The Finnish motorsport governing body, AKK Motorsport, has launched a study regarding the country’s ability to host a Formula One race.

The KymiRing is set to host a MotoGP race from 2020 and the Finnish governing body has applied to the Ministry of Education and Culture for funding to be able to study and gather more information as to the possibilities of Formula 1 in Finland.

CEO of Akk Tatu Lehmuskallio said that “Finland has an excellent and unique legacy in motorsports,” .

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“Not only have Finnish Formula One and WRC rally drivers collected more world championship points in recent seasons than drivers from any other country, we also have internationally-recognised expertise on hosting modern, reliable, sustainable and – most of all – thrilling motorsport events for fans, partners and athletes.”

via Imago

There are currently two active Finnish Formula One drivers in Valtteri Bottas for constructors’ champions Mercedes, and recent Ferrari and 2007 World Champion driver Kimi Raikkonen, who has now moved to Sauber for 2019.

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“The study will provide us detailed knowledge on what motor racing competition at the highest level truly demands and that will help us tremendously when staging other racing events, too.”

The Kymi Ring is a 2.79-mile track in the southeast of the country and was due to host the MotoGP race this year but had to be pushed back to 2020 due it not being completed in time.

If he is still around, it would be rather amusing to see Kimi racing at the Kymi Ring. For now, Raikkonen and Bottas, the only Finns in Formula One will be focusing on the 2019 season. Raikkonen will be looking forward to just racing with Alfa Romeo-Sauber and helping teammate Antonio Giovinazzi develop as a racer.

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Bottas on the other hand, will be under pressure to perform for Mercedes as his seat is under threat.

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Written by:

Dhruv George

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Dhruv George is a senior Formula One and NASCAR analyst for EssentiallySports, having authored nearly 12000 articles spanning different sports like F1, NASCAR, Tennis, NFL, and eSports. He graduated with a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1 driver Pierre Gasly and Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino.
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