The Greatest Formula One Drivers from Finland

The Best Finnish Grand Prix Drivers

Since the Formula One championship began in 1950, only nine drivers from Finland have participated. But three of them have won the competition. Kimi Räikkönen most recently won in 2007, adding to Finland’s wins by Keke Rosberg and Mika Häkkinen. Here is a look at five of the best Finnish drivers from Finland, including Rosberg and Häkkinen, who have competed in Formula One.

Leo Kinnunen

The very first Finnish driver to compete in Formula One was Leo Kinnunen. He entered six Grand Prix during 1974 but was only successful in qualifying for the Swedish Grand Prix. But even in that qualifier, Kinnunen managed to come 25th out of 24 competing cars! Only 24 cars were qualified to start, but Kinnunen’s good relations with people in the Swedish motorsports industry meant he was allowed to start the race anyway. However, after eight laps, a spark plug problem forced him to retire from the competition.