Tuukka Taponen is hoping to repeat his previous success at the Hungaroring when FIA Formula 3 (F3) returns to Budapest for Round 7.
The MP Motorsport driver finished third in last year’s Feature Race at the circuit and arrives in Hungary looking to put himself in a similar position once again.
Taponen heads into the weekend having scored points in both races at Spa-Francorchamps, although he had been hoping for more after qualifying inside the top three.
However, the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy talent is approaching Budapest in the same way as any other weekend, while recognising the importance of Qualifying at a circuit where overtaking can be more difficult.
“My approach will be the same as it was in Spa. You want to do your best always. Qualifying is more crucial here because overtaking is a bit more difficult.
“I think you can see some fighting here, especially at the end with some degradation and if there is no Safety Cars and we are running the whole race distance at racing speed. So still expecting some fighting, less than in Spa but Qualifying is more important.”
Importance of track position during Qualifying on Friday
Taponen also highlighted the importance of track position during Friday afternoon’s Qualifying session.
While finding a tow will not be the main priority around the Hungaroring, the Finn expects drivers to encounter traffic as they attempt to create space for their flying laps.
“Positioning will be the main key and finding track position that is as clear as possible. Maybe you will see a bit more difference on the strategy as well, teams going at different times to the track and trying to find that clean air.
“There will be still some queue for sure created in the last sector because everybody wants to create that gap to the car in front and it can be tricky here as well. So the tow isn’t important, but finding the clear air definitely is.”
Looking to repeat his Hungaroring success
Having already stood on the podium in Budapest in F3 and enjoyed strong results at the circuit in other categories, Taponen is carrying confidence into the weekend. However, the MP Motorsport driver is keen to focus on the present rather than relying too heavily on his previous results.
Instead, he is targeting another strong Qualifying result before looking to convert that pace into points across both races.
“It’s an important race but I did well last year here, it’s been a strong track also in FREC two years ago. I don’t want to think too much about the past, I just want to go race by race, session by session, lap by lap and do the best I can.
“Qualifying was very good in Spa but we just lacked that pace in the races, especially on Sunday when there was no Safety Cars and was a bit more tricky.
“We just need to do the same kind of Qualifying to at least to be around the top five and then hope to have a bit better pace in the races and score in both.”
