Tuukka Taponen qualified third for the 2026 F3 Austrian GP, missing out on pole position by just four hundredths of a second. The MP Motorsport driver set the fastest time of the session on his opening run, only for traffic to prevent him from improving on his second set of tyres.
Speaking in the post-qualifying press conference attended by Pit Debrief, Taponen reflected on a session that came close to delivering his first pole position of the year.
Taponen reflects on a near miss in Qualifying
Taponen briefly held provisional pole during F3 Austrian GP Qualifying after setting a 1:21.775 on his first set of soft tyres. His second run, however, proved difficult. Traffic made it hard to secure the clean lap he needed, and he was unable to improve his time.
“Yeah, it was obviously very close, just missing pole by four hundredths. I set the fastest lap with my first set and I couldn’t improve with the second set. As Ugo [Ugochukwu] said, it was a bit messed there, so it was difficult to get a good track position and improve the lap time,” Taponen stated.
Taponen elaborated on the challenge of managing track position during the final runs at the Red Bull Ring. “Yeah, it was quite tough. We, as a team, were quite far in the queue. And yeah, it was not easy to get the tyres ready for the push lap.”
“In terms of track positioning, it was also not great. So I had to already abort that first lap and tried to hope that I can improve with the second lap with that second set, but we couldn’t. But anyway, it was still enough for P3.”
MP Motorsport’s step forward from Barcelona
Taponen’s qualifying result for the 2026 F3 Austrian GP ended a difficult stretch for him and MP Motorsport. The team had struggled for qualifying pace through the opening rounds of the season, with their race form regularly outperforming their grid positions. Taponen acknowledged the improvement was significant.
“Yeah, we have been struggling a bit this year with the qualifying pace. The test has been always looking good. But when we have reached the race weekend, it’s been a bit more tough for us. I think from Barcelona to this weekend, we have done a very good step as a team. And for the first time this year, we could really fight for the pole position. Yeah, I can be quite happy for this,” Taponen stated.
He also addressed the broader challenge of the season opener, pointing to limited track time as a factor in the team’s difficulties.
“It’s been a very difficult start to the season. For all of us, the expectation has been higher and it’s been very difficult to improve in terms of track time, because we have very limited track time in free practice. But anyway, I think we have done a very good step from Barcelona, and as you said as a team we were 3 cars in the top 8 and unfortunately, one car got the track limits for us. But yeah, we can be very happy for this.”
Looking ahead to the Feature Race
Starting from P3 in Sunday’s Feature Race, Taponen heads into the 2026 F3 Austrian GP with a clear sense of what he needs to do. The Turn 1 battle at the Red Bull Ring has produced incidents in the past, and Taponen was measured in his approach to managing the opening lap.
“Yeah, it’s never easy going into T3. It’s a very slow speed corner. I think you just want to keep it clean in the first lap and see how the race goes. You have a long race to go. We are expecting quite a big deg in terms of tyres and it’s super hot here. So yeah, I hope it stays clean in the first corner so we can race at the end.”
In response to a question from Pit Debrief on the importance of capitalising on strong qualifying results, Taponen pointed to the shift he has felt in the car this weekend as the reason for optimism heading into the races.
“Yeah, so far it’s been a bit difficult for me to get into that top 12. But it seems like we found something this weekend and it felt a lot easier and I was more comfortable with the car. So I hope from this point on we can be more constantly at the top and fighting for that pole.”
Despite his strong F3 Austrian GP Qualifying session, Taponen believes tyre management will decide everything. “It won’t be any easier here. Yeah, we have less corners than Barcelona, but it’s super hot and we have the soft tyres, so we are expecting a lot of degradation. Very tough race, I would say. But for sure the one that will give the tyre the best at the beginning, it will pay off at the end,” Taponen said.
Taponen on representing Finland
Asked what he would say to younger drivers following the same path, Taponen reflected on what it means to compete at this level for a country that rarely produces drivers in Formula 3.
“Yeah, we’re happy to represent Finland at this level. We are quite a small country, so not many people are coming to this level. And yeah, my message to young people is just keep pushing and do your best always.”
Taponen starts P10 for the Sprint Race on Saturday, with the top 12 from Qualifying reversed for the grid. The Finn’s performance in qualifying for the 2026 F3 Austrian GP earned him third on the grid for Sunday’s Feature Race. With pace that threatened pole and a team that has taken a clear step forward from Barcelona, MP Motorsport head into the races at the Red Bull Ring with good reason for confidence.
