A feasibility study is to begin into the prospect of Finland hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix in the future.
The country that has produced more F1 drivers per head than any other in the world also boasts a total of four world championships through Keke Rosberg (1982), Mika Hakkinen (1998-99) and Kimi Raikkonen (2007).
However, despite their rich motorsport history, Finland has never hosted a Grand Prix but that might now change following the collapse of efforts for a street race in the Danish capital Copenhagen.
In 2020, the Kymiring, located around 160km from Helsinki, will host its first MotoGP race and now the Finnish motorsport authority wants to weigh up the possibility of bringing F1 to the circuit.
“Finland has an excellent and unique legacy in motorsports,” AKK CEO Tatu Lehmuskallio was quoted by PlanetF1.
“Not only have Finnish Formula 1 and WRC rally drivers collected more world championship points in recent seasons than drivers from any other country, but we also have internationally recognised expertise on hosting modern, reliable, sustainable and – most of all – thrilling motorsport events for fans, partners and athletes.
“The study will provide us detailed knowledge on what motor racing competition at the highest level truly demands and that will help us tremendously when staging other racing events, too.”
With Hungary traditionally the destination of the Finnish F1 fan, should this plan come together, that trip may finally get quite a lot shorter.