Another protégé of Mika Hakkinen has opened the score with victories.

      Luka Sammalisto, an 18-year-old driver from Finland competing in the Italian Formula 4, won the race at the Misano circuit yesterday. Luka led from start to finish, securing a confident victory, and since this is already his third season in this series, he can now be considered among the title contenders in terms of experience.

      Sammalisto races for the US Racing team; last year he stood on the podium three times, but he only opened his account for wins this weekend. His career is managed by Mika Häkkinen, a two-time world champion, and it is possible that more interesting prospects will open up for Luka, but it is important to solidify this first success.

      Fans are used to seeing fast Finnish drivers in Formula 1, but Valtteri Bottas's career, now with the new Cadillac team, is nearing its end, while Tuukka Taponen, a student at the Ferrari Racing Academy competing in F3, has not yet distinguished himself with significant successes. It may be too early to make predictions about Mika Häkkinen's next protégé, but it is worth following his progress.

      Although much depends on the financial side of things, Finnish media reports that Sammalisto intended to race for the Trident team in the European Formula Regional this season, but had to abandon those plans due to a lack of funds.