Photo: Iker Oikarinen
Formula Academy Finland race-winner Iker Oikarinen has signed with Finnish team KIC Motorsport to race in Formula Regional Europe this year.
The 19-year-old took four wins, two poles and several fastest laps in the Formula 4-spec FAcademy series last year with the Koiranen Kemppi Motorsport team, then post-season did tests with KIC in its FRegional car at tracks in Austria and Spain.
He is KIC’s second signing for 2023, alongside Ferrari junior Maya Weug who is also graduating from F4.
“KIC Motorsport welcomes Finnish Iker Oikarinen to join FREC in season 2023,” the team said in a statement.
“In past seasons the flying Finn has driven karting in Spain, in Portugal and in Italian series before collecting silver medal in Finnish F4 series. During the winter KIC and Iker has driven successful test programme and even there are still work to be done, we’re all ready for the new challenge.”
Oikarinen said the step up to FREC is “a big step forward in my career and won‘t be easy at all”.
He added: “But I am confident that everything is possible with hard work. Thanks to all my supporters who believe in me. Looking forward for the new challenges ahead.”
Fellow FAcademy star Tuukka Taponen, who only raced part-time, will race in F4 United Arab Emirates and Italian F4 this year while the other frontrunners in the series are yet to announce their 2023 plans.
Alex Partyshev and Michael Sauter, who both raced in F4 last year, have also tested with KIC in FRegional during the off-season.