LUKA SAMMALISTO NEW BEGINNINGS WITH US RACING

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After an impressive debut season in Formula 4, Finnish driver Luka Sammalisto is taking the next step in his career by joining the German team US Racing, run by Gerhard Ungar and Ralf Schumacher. US Racing, renowned for its success in junior motorsport, secured multiple race wins and the Italian F4 Championship title in 2023, making it the ideal environment for Luka to continue his development.

“I’m feeling really confident to go in the first race at the Winter Series,” Luka said when he was asked about joining US Racing. “It’s a great opportunity to work with such an experienced team and learn from their vast knowledge. I believe we can achieve some great results together.”

Building on Success
Luka’s rookie season in Formula 4 showcased his talent, consistency, and determination under pressure. Now, with the support and expertise of US Racing, he is ready to compete in the Formula Winter Series, as well as the Italian F4 and Euro 4 Championships. These new challenges will test him on demanding circuits against a strong field of competitors.

The Formula Winter Series kicks off this weekend in Portimão, where Luka will make his first race appearance with the new team. The circuit, known for its challenging layout and elevation changes, will provide the perfect opportunity for Luka to demonstrate his progress and adapt to the new environment.

Looking Ahead
The Formula Winter Series, Italian F4, and Euro 4 Championships are key stepping stones for Luka as he progresses toward the higher levels of motorsport. With US Racing’s championship-winning pedigree and support, 2025 promises to be another exciting year.

Together with US Racing, Luka is ready to take on the challenges ahead and continue his pursuit of motorsport excellence. For updates on Luka’s journey, visit www.lukasammalistoracing.com.

Author: Lukas Wunderlich

GRABKO WILL RACE IN THE NORDIC AQUILA FORMULA 1000 CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2025

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Deven Lewis Grabko graduates from karting to single seater formula racing as KEDA Motorsport signs the talented young racer for next season!

Grabko will race for the Danish squad in the Nordic Aquila Formula 1000 Championship in 2025.

The young Swedish-American pilot only turned 13 in December, but comes off the back of a monumental 2024 season in karting, the multiple race winner taking two Swedish national championship titles, victory at the Gothenburg Grand Prix, as well as a call up to the US national team to compete in the FIA Motorsport Games.

KEDA Motorsport, founded by multiple championship winning driver Kevin Suenson, wins the race to secure the full time services of the young Swedish-American talent as their first confirmed driver signing for the coming season.

“I’m super excited! Ever since I tested the car last Spring I’ve been thinking about it, and to get to race it for real is amazing! It is a huge step, but I am ready, and am going to do everything I can to develop and learn as fast as possible!” – Deven Lewis Grabko

“We’ve had our eye on Dev for a while now, and after seeing him test at the Aquila Driver Academy International last year we were convinced. We are sure he will adapt well from karting, and are really looking forward to working with him and developing him as a driver.” – Kevin Suenson

“Very happy for Deven to take this important step in his career at such a young age. He showed last year he has the talent and determination of a true champion. After looking at all options for 2025, we believe the Formula 1000 Championship provides the perfect platform for him to make a successful transition into single seater racing. Deven will be in great hands with Kevin at KEDA Motorsport. Keep an eye on this pilot, he is going places.” – Giovanni Minardi

LUKA SAMMALISTO TO RACE WITH US RACING IN THE 2025 ITALIAN F4 SEASON

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Luka Sammalisto will contest the 2025 Italian F4 season with US Racing. The Finnish driver, recently turned 17 years old, already has a season of experience in the category, so he’s very optimistic for the upcoming campaign.

To best prepare, Luka will carry out an intense testing program on all the tracks of the 2025 championship. Furthermore, he will compete in the Portimão and Barcelona Formula Winter Series rounds.

Giovanni Minardi: «I’m really happy for Luka. After a long and exhausting negotiation, we managed to join the team he wanted so much. Now we have everything we need to achieve excellent results».
«We are in the second year in the category, and in a super competitive team that can allow us to win races and the championship. Now we have to work hard to achieve the best possible result, the championship victory».

Luka Sammalisto: «Now I can finally announce that I will race with US Racing in the 2025 Italian Formula 4 season. I love working with the team and feel very comfortable with them».
«We have some good and intense winter preparation program for this upcoming 2025 season. My target is to race at the top and have strong race performances».

Author: Jacopo Rava

INTRODUCE MYSELF, MY NAME IS LUKA SAMMALISTO

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You were born in Tampere, Finland in 2007. How did you become interested in racing?
«I became interested in racing because my father had a small kart for my big brother, but he didn’t want to drive it, so I went driving with the kart and everything started».

When did you start racing in go-karts?
«I started racing go karts when I was seven years old».

What are the biggest difficulties switching from a kart to a F4?
«The biggest issue switching from karting to F4 is that you need to focus a lot on many corners, because the track is twice as long as a kart track. Then, in formula a small mistake will cost you a lot more time than in karting. In addition, you have front and rear brakes, which it’s even harder if you didn’t drive in the KZ category in karting».

You made your debut in Italian F4 in 2024. How was the impact in the most competitive F4 championship?
«The impact was just like I was thinking before. The level is really high. Also, I didn’t have such big expectations for my first year».

What did you learn in the championship?
«I learnt a lot of new things, like a new driving style. I also learned a lot on how to race hard in F4».

How valuable is the support of Minardi Management in your career?
«For me Minardi is important because he has many connections that can help me go forward and he helps me a lot too».

Do you already know if you will be racing for US Racing in Italian F4 in 2025?
«At the moment I’m just testing. I hope to continue with them in 2025».

Where do you see yourself in 3 years time?
«In 3 years time I see myself in F2».

What is your best quality as a driver?
«My best quality is that I am unyielding».

What is the aspect you are working on the most?
«I‘m working the most on different muscles. I’m also doing a lot of running, so I can keep my basic condition in good shape».

What’s the best racing series outside of F1?
«I have to say F2!»

Author: Jacopo Rava

LUKA SAMMALISTO’S 2024 SEASON ENDS WITH THE F4 TESTING IN MISANO

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Luka Sammalisto concluded his 2024 season in Misano testing the US Racing F4 car. The seventeen-year-old has driven 638 km (151 laps), with a consistent pace and a best time of 1:35.284.

The weather of the two days was partly cloudy, with temperatures around 15ºC.

Day 1
The morning started with a good pace of 1:37. He then improved consistently, until he was lapping in 1:35. The first half of the day ended with 58 laps and a personal best of 1:35.864, not far from the top of the chart.

In the afternoon session, he continued to work on race pace. In the 19 laps he completed, tyre degradation was low. Therefore, he managed to set the second best time of 1:36.213 towards the end.

Day 2
The day of his seventeenth birthday began with an encouraging race pace. Of the 41 laps, the fastest was an excellent 1:35.284, just nine thousandths away from “pole”. Unfortunately he struggled to keep consistency.

After the birthday celebrations, Luka started the afternoon setting the pace in 1:35.641. Moreover, consistency improved noticeably: in the last two sessions, he lapped with great precision in the 1:36s, showing good confidence with the car.

Preparation for the next season will continue in January 2025.

Luka Sammalisto: «For me the tests went really well. It was nice to be here in Misano and Imola, we tested many things. I think we found good pace in Imola already, and it was really good in Misano too».

«We managed to take “pole position” a couple of times and we were almost every time in top 5, or even top 3, so the pace was there. I’m really proud of the team, they’ve been pushing a lot for me».

«Now I’m really happy to go on the Christmas break. We’ll see at the start of next year what we can do, now we are pushing to the highest limits. Hopefully we can win!»

Author: Jacopo Rava

LUKA SAMMALISTO COMPLETES TWO DAYS OF F4 TESTING IN IMOLA WITH US RACING

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Luka Sammalisto completed two days of testing in Imola with the US Racing F4 team. The Finn covered a distance of 515 km (105 laps), setting the overall fastest time of Day 1 in 1:46.162.
The days were marked by fog and temperatures around 10°C.

Day 1
The first day of testing in Imola began with a slippery surface, caused by low temperatures and little rubbering. Many drivers went off the track in these conditions, but Luka managed to run the program smoothly. He completed 28 laps with a fastest time of 1:46.608.
In the afternoon he completed another 25 laps, showing consistent improvement. After a good race pace simulation, he recorded the fastest lap of the day in 1:46.162.

Day 2
The next day he picked up where he left off. He covered 32 laps in the morning and lowered his limit to 1:45.880.
Rain began to fall while engines were shut, so the afternoon activity started with a time of 2:07.182. Luka struggled to find pace in the wet, but in the last session the track began to dry and
his laptime improved to 2:02.312.
Unfortunately, Luka’s day ended earlier than expected, as an unlucky spin meant he was stuck in the gravel at Tosa.

Next week he will be in Misano to continue the preparation for the 2025 season.

Luka Sammalisto: «For me the tests went really well, but just in the rain the pace was not there. I need to work on the driving in the rain conditions. Maybe the car setup in the rain was not the best for me, but in the dry the pace was really good and consistent».

Author: Jacopo Rava

LUKA SAMMALISTO CONCLUDES THE ITALIAN F4 SEASON WITH A STRONG PERFORMANCE AT MONZA

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The Italian F4 season finale at Monza presented young Finnish driver Luka Sammalisto with one of his biggest challenges yet. On the legendary high-speed Monza circuit and in unpredictable weather, Luka once again demonstrated his resilience, fighting through three intense races.

Luka summarizes the weekend as follows: “Overall, it was a tough weekend. In my opinion, there are a few things that could have gone better and there is still space for improvements”

Strong Qualifying Efforts and Race Progression

Despite the fluctuating conditions, Luka managed solid qualifying results. Although he qualified in P14 for the first race, he had to start from P18 due to a grid penalty that was handed during the race weekend in Barcelona. He improved to 10th in the second qualifying. The highlight was securing P2 in the last qualifying session, marking Luka’s best starting position of the season.

Race Recap: Consistency and Determination

In the first race, the field started behind the safety car due to poor weather, which shortened the race to just 20 minutes. Two additional safety car phases throughout the race cost Luka valuable time for overtaking, yet he fought his way up the field to finish 10th, securing his first point of the weekend. In the second race, he climbed to 8th place, once again showcasing his race craft and good pace. In the third race, Luka started from P2 but dropped to P4 after a less-than-perfect start. The tricky weather conditions in Monza led to four safety car phases, which unfortunately caused Luka to lose multiple positions at a restart, eventually finishing in 12th place.

While Luka was able to collect points again this weekend, he also demonstrated his adaptability and determination to learn from each race.

Looking Ahead

With the season finale at Monza behind him, Luka takes valuable insights into the off-season, preparing for the future with a clear focus on refining his skills. The weekend in Monza provided crucial lessons, and he heads into the break with a clear focus on improving further.

For more information on Luka Sammalisto and his racing career, visit www.lukasammalistoracing.com.

FINAL PUSH AT MONZA

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After several weeks of preparation since the last Euro 4 Championship weekend at Monza, where Luka Sammalisto secured valuable points, the focus now shifts to the final race weekend of the Italian Formula 4 Championship. The goal is clear: to build on past performances and finish in the points once again.

Monza, renowned for its high-speed straights and legendary status in motorsport, will once again present a unique challenge. The weather forecast predicts rain throughout the weekend, a familiar scenario for Luka, who has already gained experience in wet conditions at this track.

Reflecting on his preparations, Luka shared: “After the Euro F4 weekend, I did simulator work on October 15th and 16th. I haven’t had any tests on the track since then, but my target for Monza is to finish inside the top 10. We’ll be testing new things during the race, hoping to find something that improves our pace.”

This weekend marks the seventh and final round of the Italian Formula 4 season. Luka currently sits 21st in the overall standings and 15th in the Rookie standings with 36 points. After securing points earlier in the season at Imola, he now aims for a strong finish to the season.

Monza’s fast layout makes qualifying especially crucial, as drivers rely heavily on slipstreaming down the long straights. A strong result in qualifying will be key to achieving the goal of finishing in the points.

The team heads into the final race weekend with optimism, ready to close out the season on a high note, and with valuable lessons learned throughout the year.

FORMULA 4 DRIVER LUKA SAMMALISTO IS BACK IN ACTION!

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A Finnish formula 4 driver, Luka Sammalisto had a whirlwind seven-week recovery period filled with the events unfolding behind the scenes: team meetings, simulator tests, test days and future planning sessions… The experience from the July event is now a chapter of resilience. Showcasing Sammalisto’s attitude, determination, and tenacity in both life and motorsports.The Japanese saying goes, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight!” For the promising young driver from Finland, the focus is now on the present moment, the remaining races of the season, and future ambitions. His mantra from karting days, “Never give up!” remains stronger than ever. The Formula4 season continues, the dream lives on, and the dedicated work towards achieving those dreams never stops.

– A massive shoutout to the incredible sponsors and partners who have stood by me through thick and thin! Their continued support and belief in my racing career mean a lot for the motivation and ongoing success.

Two weeks ago, Sammalisto dusted off his racing uniform and hit the Red Bull Ring for the F4 Euro series weekend. Originally, the F4 Euro series wasn’t in his race schedule, but strategic discussions with his manager, Giovanni Minardi, led to the decision to participate.

– Spielberg is a track raced in higher formula classes (FRECA, F3, F2). Luka’s participation in the Austrian race weekend was a carefully considered strategic decision. Another key reason was that the Italian series resumes only this coming weekend in Barcelona, so getting Luka race ready before Barcelona was seen as positive. – Giovanni Minardi

Red Bull Ring is notorious for its challenging and rapidly changing weather conditions, and the F4 Euro series weekend was no different. The cold, almost winter-like (+5°C) temperatures throughout the weekend added to the challenge.

In the first qualifying session, Sammalisto secured a P8 finish, meeting his goals. However, tire pressure and grip issues hampered the second session, resulting in P19 (QP2) and P20 (QP3) finishes.

– I couldn’t get the tires to work optimally, and the grip was poor. Without grip, the driving feel is not good.

The first race was on slick tires despite parts of the track still being wet, making the grip nearly non-existent. Sammalisto had a great start, but a water puddle in the first corner slowed him down. On the second lap, he experienced an unexpected challenge when drivers ahead went off into the gravel, resulting in a spray of stones. One unfortunate rock hit Luka’s finger so hard that he couldn’t hold the steering wheel due to sudden pain, ending his race.

Both second and third races were driven in rainy conditions. Starting from mid-grid, the rain and poor visibility made it difficult to aim for top 10 finishes, resulting in P17 and P18 placements.

– The weekend was challenging, but returning to the track feels really good. We learned a lot and were able to develop the car and settings, especially in rainy conditions.

The F4 Italian Championship resumes this weekend in Barcelona, marking the penultimate race weekend of the season.

– The goal is to make this weekend the best of the season, a complete and successful return race. We’re aiming for maximum points—the more we get, the better and of course, the more fun!

DEVEN GRABKO TAKES VICTORY AT THE GOTHENBURG GRAND PRIX, IS CROWNED SWEDEN’S IAME JUNIOR X30 CHAMPION

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Young Swedish-American racing talent, Deven Grabko, became the winner of the 2024 Gothenburg Grand Prix in the Junior Open 125cc category on Saturday. The success marked his 3rd victory of the season, and confirms his position as one of his country’s brightest young racing talents.

The prestigious race, the 2nd biggest in Sweden only after the National Championship itself, regularly draws entries from all over Scandinavia and Europe, this year seeing 45 entries in the Junior category, also served as the 6th and final round of the IAME Series Sweden – itself one of the largest and most prestigious karting championships in the country, boasting over 170 participants over the 6 rounds of the championship.

Deven, still only 12 years old and in his first season stepping up to the Junior categories as one of the youngest drivers in the field, came into the weekend 3rd in the IAME Series Sweden standings and needed to win to have a chance at taking home the championship.

He did exactly that after a dramatic qualifying that saw another competitor leak water onto the track, sending off several karts behind them, including Deven. The young pilot dragged his kart deep out of the grass and got back underway with only a couple of minutes remaining in the qualifying session and managed a last gasp flying lap good enough for 2nd in his group and 4th overall.

From there he finished 3rd in his first qualifying heat and took a heat win in his second. The results were good enough to give him the overall pole position going into the super heat phase of the competition. Deven was able to win his super eat as well, guaranteeing his position on pole for the all decisive final.

In the final he was able to make a very good start and getaway, able to control the entire race, and won the gruelling 20 lap final by over 2 seconds.

The IAME Series championship means that Grabko qualifies for the IAME Junior X30 World Finals, to be held in Valencia, Spain from November 4-7.

Deven, who is represented by the well-respected Italian Driver Management Agency, Minardi Management, has already made an impact on the international junior karting scene, scoring an impressive top 10 finish at the age of 11 in his junior category and World Series Karting debut, where he finished 7th at the 2023 WSK Final Cup at the hallowed South Garda Karting Circuit in Lonato, Italy, last November.

Grabko, earlier this season named to the USA national team squad to compete at the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games in October, will now have the honour of competing in another International and World Final.

The young pilot also made his Champions of the Future Euro Series and FIA Karting European Championship debut earlier this summer, where he made an immediate impact and turned heads with his speed, despite results not going his way.

Deven was extremely proud of his success, “What a great feeling! I am so happy right now – to win the IAME Series championship in the final round like that, and qualify for the IAME World Finals is amazing. Taking the win here at one of the biggest and hardest races here in Sweden, it just feels so great, and makes me hungry for more! Huge thanks to all my sponsors, fans, supporters, my team AD Motorsport, Hugo my mechanic, my family, none of this is possible without you guys, so this is all for you!”

Giovanni Minardi had this to say, “Deven is incredibly talented and we are so proud of him, his dedication to his craft is admirable, and he deserves every accolade. He has shown himself to be a true champion.”

Deven Grabko is a Swedish American racing driver born in Trollhättan, Sweden, and raised in both Trollhättan as well as San Diego, California. He attends school in year 7 at Paradisskolan’s English Speaking Curriculum in Trollhättan.
• Web: www.grabkogp.com
• Instagram: @grabkogp
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grabkogp
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GrabkoGP

Minardi Management is a well reputed Italian Driver Management Agency run by the same family legacy from the Minardi Formula One team in the 2000’s and have been an active and influential name in motorsports throughout the years. They are known to bring their drivers from a young age through the kart racing categories and into single seater formula racing.
• Web: www.minardimanagment.com
• Instagram: @minardi_management
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minardimanagement

IAME Series Sweden: https://www.iameseriesnortherneurope.com/results-sweden/
IAME World Finals: https://www.iame-motorsport.com/iwf/iwf24
FIA Motorsport Games: https://www.fiamotorsportgames.com/