Motopark Raceway – Karsikumpu

When was the track built?

Opened in 1987, it was the first motor stadium in Finland, although it had only a drag strip.
Three years later it was enlarged, when asphalt and rallycross tracks were constructed, attracting some national motorbikes and cars competitions.
Now a further redevelopment, designed by me, will finally bring major motorsport events, including F1; they’re due to be completed in 2023.

When was its first Grand Prix?

It will be the first ever race on this circuit.
It will rotate with other three circuits in this country for a spot in the F1 European Series.

What’s the circuit like?

The first sector offers two of the best overtaking spots at T1, after the long main straight and at the tight chicane at T2.
Sector two is characterized by tricky braking zones, as drivers will need to approach corners while braking; particularly T10 will be insidious after another straight, while already preparing a gently banked corner.
After the long T12 hairpin, the final sector has few high-speed bends and the challenging sequence T16-T19, critical to nail as a small mistake in this tract will mean carrying much less speed into the straight.
Temperatures could be pretty low, making tyre management more difficult.

Where is it located?

50 km north-west of Mikkeli, and around 250km from Helsinki, in the centre of Finland; the capital’s airport is surely the most important one in the area. (+ 62°03’31”, + 27°33’22”).