Tuukka Taponen secured his second podium of the 2026 FIA Formula 3 (F3) season with P3 in Feature Race 1 at the new Madrid circuit.
The MP Motorsport driver maintained third throughout the race, managing his tyres before pushing for the fastest lap in the closing stages.
“It was a good race and it went exactly as I wanted. I made a clean start, stayed in P3, watched what was happening up front, then started to manage the race and look after the tyres. At the end I was able to go for the fastest lap and achieve it, so from my side it was a very good race,” Taponen said during the FIA F3 post-Feature Race 1 press conference, attended by Pit Debrief.
Ugochukwu applied pressure to Taponen towards the end of the race, but the MP Motorsport driver was able to keep the Campos Racing driver behind him.
“I think Ugo was trying a similar strategy, creating a gap to the cars ahead and then pushing at the end. I managed to be quicker than him and I think he also had to think about the championship. He needed solid points, whereas I could focus on my own race.”
Taponen to start from pole for Feature Race 2 on Sunday
Taponen will start the final race of the Madrid weekend from pole position, giving him another opportunity to finish the 2026 season on the top step.
Pit Debrief asked Taponen about his approach to the start and managing the risk versus reward with several championship positions still to be decided.
“Yeah starting on pole tomorrow obviously the start is important as they said. You need to get a good start and then just control the race and needing to push. I have to push and I can relax a bit more, relax a bit more if there is a chance for that.Obviously yeah just gonna focus on my own race and try to finish the season on high.”
Taponen also discussed La Monumental, one of the defining corners of the new Madrid circuit.
“Yeah that corner is it’s very special. It’s tough for your driving feeling. When you go there you’re almost flat out every lap and the feeling is just incredible that you cannot feel in many places.”
The difficulty of overtaking was another key talking point following the F3 Madrid Feature Race 1, with Taponen agreeing that making moves around the new street circuit was challenging.
“Yeah like they say overtaking is difficult and you can you can overtake if a guy in front does a mistake or something is starting to struggle a lot with the car. But as long as everything is let’s say under control it’s very difficult.”
