Tuukka Taponen moves to MP Motorsport for the 2026 season

Tuukka Taponen will return for a second season in Formula 3 next year, making the move to MP Motorsport for the 2026 campaign.

The 18-year-old had a stellar rookie year in F3, achieving three podiums on his way to finishing ninth in the Drivers' Championship.

Prior to that, the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member had a trophy-laden karting career, before making the step up to single seater racing in 2021.

Taponen then finished second in the 2023 Formula 4 UAE Championship, before becoming the 2024 Formula Regional Middle East Champion. Later that year, he took third in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.

He is now set to continue in Formula 3 for another season, and is delighted to be back and to be racing with MP.

“I’m really pleased to join MP Motorsport for my second year in Formula 3”, said Taponen. “It’s wonderful news to have confirmation of my immediate future so early. It means that I have a productive winter with the team and the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy ahead of me, as we work together on the best possible preparation for the 2026 season.

“MP is one of the leading teams in the championship, having finished third in this year’s teams standings, and I look forward to becoming part of their family and adding to their success.”

MP Motorsport Team Principal Sander Dorsman added: “At MP Motorsport, we are all happy to welcome Tuukka into our Formula 3 squad for 2026. Ever since his promotion from karts, Tuukka’s quick rise through the ranks has been remarkable. He has been one of our fiercest rivals in the past two years, so having him on our side for 2026 is absolutely great news. Along with Mattia and Alessandro, Tuukka will add to MP’s strong 2026 line-up of extremely talented youngsters all capable of fighting at the sharp end of the Formula 3 grid.”