Interview
Taponen aiming to regain momentum going to Monte Carlo with MP
Tuukka Taponen is looking to bounce back from a difficult Round 1 with a strong performance in Monte Carlo that he can carry into the rest of the European section of the calendar.
The MP Motorsport driver qualified P14 in Melbourne and while made his way forward in both races, he wound up outside the points – finishing 12th in the Sprint and 13th in the Feature.
Taponen was speaking ahead of the Spielberg in-season test – where he was second fastest on Day 1 and fourth on Day 2 – and reflected on how he had used his time after the opening weekend.
“So first after Melbourne I finished my military service which was I was happy to finish it, even it was quite a nice experience afterwards,” he said.
“Then I had one or two weeks like to rest, then we did the training camp together with other Ferrari drivers in Rome. After that I did some physical and mental assessment in Maranello, again with Ferrari.
“After that I went to the sim with MP and then went to see my father racing, he did the one race in Finland, a low level but still good.”
Reflecting on Round 1, Taponen said: “Melbourne was very shocking for all of us because we thought we are going to be up there in the front but it was not the case and it was very, very hard to swallow.”
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Taponen said that he and MP planned to use the two days in Spielberg to understand better where they went wrong at Albert Park, and also to test a few new ideas they have for improvement.
After a break from the car, the 19-year-old was looking forward to being back in the car in Austria, and also in Monte Carlo, when the season will commence.
“It's going to be busy two months, six weekends in two months is quite a good speed, good rhythm,” said Taponen.
“Monaco is going to be a special track but let's try and let's hope that I and we can turn the momentum there around and from this point onwards it will be a good championship.
“After Monaco will be kind of normal tracks, so we will try to get a good momentum, get the good feeling with the team and the confidence back and fight at the top again.”