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/

PROMISING FINNISH FORMULA4 DRIVER FACES A MONTH-LONG RECOVERY

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Luka Sammalisto, the 16-year-old Formula 4 driver from Finland, was injured last Friday morning during the free practice session of the F4 Italian Championship series in Mugello.

What initially seemed like a minor incident turned out to have serious consequences for the tenacious young Finn. Sammalisto was transferred to a hospital where imaging studies revealed fractures in three vertebrae. While the fractures are stable, eliminating the most critical risks, the injury has necessitated a month-long rehabilitation period.

Since Friday, Sammalisto has been recuperating in a local hospital, eagerly awaiting the green light to return home. Due to his condition, he will be absent from the upcoming F4 Italian Championship -weekend in Paul Richard, scheduled for just over a week from now.

At the Mugello hospital, Sammalisto has been strictly confined to bed rest. Throughout this challenging period, he has been surrounded by an incredible support system.

Sammalisto’s manager, Giovanni Minardi, has been presence at the hospital. With Minardi’s Italian heritage, communication with the medical team has been seamless. Minardi’s support extends beyond logistics, providing invaluable emotional strength to Sammalisto during his recovery. Juuso-Matti Pajuranta, Sammalisto’s driving coach, has played a pivotal role as well.

“Both Giovanni’s and Juuso-Matti’s help and support have been incredible. Me and my parents are immensely grateful for them.”

“I have received an incredible amount of support from various people. It’s really comforting to know I’m not alone and that there are so many caring people around. I want to say a big heartfelt thanks to everyone!”

“This Friday, I’ll be back in Finland. The anticipation is building, and I can’t wait to be home! During the following weeks, it’s crucial to avoid all kinds of back bending and twisting movements. I will be using back extension braces to keep my back in the correct position. The most important thing is to initiate the healing process properly. Getting home plays a significant role in that recovery. Having family and friends around is invaluable. Plus, I get to enjoy homemade food made by my mom!”

Despite this setback, the resilient driver is determined to make a full recovery and return to the track stronger than ever.
Sammalisto is expected to make a comeback for the Barcelona race weekend, scheduled for September 27-29, 2024

LUKA SAMMALISTO AND A CHALLENGING WEEKEND AT VALLELUNGA

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The third race weekend for a Finnish F4 driver Luka Sammalisto (16) in the F4 Italian Championship series at Vallelunga, Italy, was fraught with challenges.

Preparations for the race weekend began on a high note for the young Finn. During Friday’s free practice, Sammalisto showcased competitive speed, clocking the second fastest lap time among 36 drivers in the morning session. The R-ace GP team, which Sammalisto represents, dedicated the afternoon to final testing and fine-tuning to ensure optimal equipment settings for Saturday’s qualifyings. Despite the preparations, the qualifying session did not unfold as planned. Nevertheless, Sammalisto’s consistent performance secured him 16th, 12th, and 10th place.

Saturday’s first race start quickly turned problematic. On the very first lap, a teammate collided with Sammalisto’s car, dropping him to 24th place. The race took a dramatic turn a few laps before the checkered flag when three drivers ahead of Sammalisto crashed, blocking the entire track. With no clear path, Sammalisto swerved into the sand area, where his car became stuck, ending his race prematurely.

During the second race start on Saturday, another incident transpired. After several laps, an unforeseen maneuver by a fellow competitor dashed Sammalisto’s hopes for a strong performance and points, as he was positioned in a promising 10th place at the time.

Sunday continued the pattern of misfortune. In the third race of the weekend, Sammalisto was derailed off the track due to a delayed braking maneuver by the driver behind him. This incident resulted in a damaged car and a 22nd place finish for Sammalisto.

– When at every race during the weekend, your race is ruined for reasons other than self-inflicted, it’s frustrating. When things happen that you can’t influence on your own, it eats away at a man. Disappointing in terms of sportsmanship.

– Concentration or skillful overtaking won’t suffice if a fellow racer veers into your path, or if a collision from the driver behind causes damage to your car. Setbacks are an inherent part of a motorsport. Navigating through such challenges is not always mentally easy, particularly on weekends like this.

Sammalisto also shared his frustration on behalf of his team.
– It’s really sad for the whole R-ace GP team. They have worked hard to close the gap to the top teams. It has been successful and the direction of development is correct.

– If there is something positive to dig out of the weekend, then mental strength and determination will only be strengthened by the experiences of this weekend.

– Every race weekend has its own special spices, and this weekend offered the bitterest of them. The work will continue with the team persistently and determinedly towards Mugello, where in a month’s time the fourth race weekend of the F4 Italian Championship series will take place.

YOUNG FORMULA PROMISE LUKA SAMMALISTO SHOWED HIS SPEED AT THE IMOLA F4 RACE!

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Finnish formula driver Luka Sammalisto is improving his performance as the season progresses in the Italian F4 series. The Imola race offered a lot of positives but also technical challenges, which left Luka from the rookie driver’s podium position just one place short twice.
Earlier this year, Sammalisto also took another step closer to professional motorsport. Luka signed a management contract with the Italian Minardi Management. The company’s owner, Giovanni Minardi, acts as Luka’s manager and handles all contract negotiations. Sammalisto is the first Finnish driver on Minardi’s list, which also includes F2 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Luka Sammalisto: It was great to become a part of Minardi Management. Giovanni is a true professional and takes care of practically all matters and negotiations related to me. Final decisions are made together, but everything else is handled through the manager. Giovanni always approaches things from the driver’s perspective, which is important for a young driver.

The Imola race weekend began with three collective tests and two official free practice sessions. Sammalisto’s test program included a long list of technical adjustments in preparation for the weekend’s races.

Luka Sammalisto: The collective tests went pretty much according to the program, that was, searching for settings. We tested a lot of different things and didn’t expect any top times at all. However, in the combined times of the three tests, I was in 15th place, which was decent. The Imola track felt good right from the first run.

The official free practices went even better for Luka, with positions of P10 and P8. The car worked well with both old and new tires, and expectations for the qualifying sessions were high.

Luka Sammalisto: The speed improved further in the free practices, and I got a good feeling for the car with both old and new tires. The gap to the top was just a few tenths of a second. But the qualifying sessions did not go as smoothly. The first qualifying session was disrupted by numerous yellow flags, and due to a detached front wing, I only managed to do one fast lap, resulting in a very unsatisfactory P14. In the second qualifying session, technical problems continued, and I ended up in P18.

The weekend’s three races involved a lot of driving behind the safety car but also intense racing and overtaking. Sammalisto showed his speed and fighting spirit, resulting two times P4 among the rookies.

Luka Sammalisto: The first race started well, but crashes in the early laps brought out the safety car. The rest of the race was tough, and I even went off into the gravel briefly, but finished in P12 and P4 among the rookies. The podium was close, Luka says. The second race started also well, and I had climbed to P9 and P3 among the rookies when the safety car came out. At this point, the race director noticed that my rear wing had come loose and flagged me to the pits a lap before the finish. The third race was my best driving of the weekend. A good start, good speed, and good overtakes. I finished P7 and P4 among the rookies, which of course is a bit frustrating.

The Imola weekend did not meet the set goals. Numerous technical problems significantly affected performance and speed. When the car worked, Luka showed his speed and potential.

Luka Sammalisto: I have mixed feelings about Imola. There were many technical challenges that were out of my control. It’s good to remember, though, that without the technical issues, we are fast and competitive, which gives confidence for the future. The next race will be held in Vallelunga in 14.-16.6.

More information about Luka Sammalisto:
www.lukasammalistoracing.com