Sami-Matti Trogen Joins the 2017 FIA F4 NEZ Championship

At 14, Sami-Matti is the youngest driver joining the 2017 F4 NEZ Championship, for his maiden year in open-wheel racing. Turning 15 in May, the youngest driver on the grid will take this chance to learn as much as possible. Sami-Matti has an atypical background, as the Lohja-born driver started competing in cross-kart at the age of 10, scoring numerous podiums and snatching the Estonian Rallycross Championship Junior Class title in 2016.

Why have you switched from Rallycross to Formula 4?

S.M Trogen: Many people told me that my speed is good on tarmac. I have also practiced track driving with Matti Alamäki’s simulator for about a year now and taken a few wins in simulator competitions. So together with my team, we decided that going to Formula cars might be a good step for me now.

What is the most difficult thing in Formula-series?

S.M Trogen: Driving out from turns is the most difficult thing in my opinion along with taking advantage of new tyres. I will definitely learn these things, but it will require a lot of testing and practice.

Why did you chose the F4 NEZ Championship?

S.M Trogen: The F4 NEZ Championship has proved its value in the North European Zone these past few years. With talented drivers like Niko Kari, Richard Verschoor and Jarno Opmeer scouted by F1 Junior Teams, it makes young drivers like me very envious. However I have no real experience in formula cars, so I think that the single-make system where all the cars are the same, with the same set-up and performance, is good for me. I will focus on learning and improving my driving-style.

What is your goal in motorsports?

S.M Trogen: My main goal over the years has been to become a motorsport professional. Until now my area was Rallycross. I have always been a keen follower of the formula series but I haven’t had any racing experience on circuits. Earlier this year I participated in F4 NEZ tests in Barcelona and I think the results were pretty good for a first time. If I were to succeed in open-wheel cars, I would try my best to reach Formula 1.

What are your expectations from the upcoming season?

S.M Trogen: Race as much as possible and cross the finish line in each race. I don’t have any results targetted for the first season, but I will give everything I have to improve day after day.

Sami-Matti will take part in the official test days in Parnu, Estonia on 18th-19th April and will continue learning the ropes of formula cars ahead of his season in the 2017 F4 NEZ Championship certified by