Tuukka Taponen is set to make the step up to Formula 2 (F2) with French outfit ART Grand Prix in 2027, becoming the third confirmed Formula 3 graduate to join the grid next year.
Having completed his sophomore F3 season with MP Motorsport, the Ferrari-backed driver mounted an impressive late-season charge up the Drivers’ Standings to ultimately finish third with 109 points. The final round in Madrid proved a highly successful finale for Taponen, who claimed pole position in one of two Qualifying sessions before securing third in the opening Feature Race and victory in the second.
While the 2026 F3 season was a mixed campaign for Taponen, he has enjoyed considerable success throughout his single-seater career so far. In 2024, the Finnish driver won the Formula Regional Middle East Championship before finishing third in the Formula Regional European Championship, behind runner-up James Wharton and champion Rafael Câmara.
Taponen returns to familiar surroundings
After a year with MP Motorsport, Taponen returns to the team he raced with during his rookie F3 season in 2025. Speaking about his step up to F2 with ART Grand Prix, the 19 year-old said: “I believe we have a good chance of fighting for the front positions right away. ART is a team I know well, and I know how they work.”
“F2 will introduce a new car version next season, along with regulation changes, which will level the playing field for all teams. It’s also great to return to a team that already knows me and wanted me back. I’m confident I’ll get the support I need from the team to take this next step and pursue my goal of reaching Formula 1.”
ART Grand Prix Team Principal Sébastien Philippe welcomed the Finnish driver back to the team, saying: “I’m very happy to have Tuukka back in the team! We are already a step ahead, having built a solid foundation and a strong relationship together in the past. This allows us to focus fully, from the outset, on his performance and the development of the car”.
