Race and classic pictures

Not a flying Keke or Mika, but a Finn nevertheless

He wasn't a flying Keke or Mika, but he was a Finn and actually the second man from the Land of a Thousand Lakes to race in Formula 1 after Leo Kinnunen in 1974.

Mikko Kozarowitsky, who turns 76 on this day today, signed up with RAM March in 1977 for a stint in the European races but was bumped by the better-funded - and no less famous - Boy Hayje.

Nevertheless, Mikko went on to make his F1 debut at the Swedish Grand Prix.

Having never sat in an F1 car before, few were expecting fireworks, and the Finn indeed missed the cut.

He was offered another outing at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone a few weeks later, but crashed on his second exploratory lap, breaking his wrist.

Kozarowitzky sensibly called it a day, went home and was never seen again in F1.

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

F1 drivers squeeze in tradition before Abu Dhabi epic

On the eve of Formula 1’s thrilling 2025 title decider in Abu Dhabi, the entire…

10 mins ago

Hamilton won't miss current F1 cars - but fears 2026 'might be worse'

As Formula 1 prepares to wave goodbye to its current rule set in Abu Dhabi,…

1 hour ago

F1 drivers rally around Antonelli after abuse from ‘scum of the earth’

On the eve of Formula 1’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, drivers set aside championship…

2 hours ago

Abu Dhabi GP: Thursday's media day in pictures

Formula 1's 2025 season hurtles toward its dramatic close this weekend in Yas Marina, with…

15 hours ago

Verstappen: Let McLaren play games – 'all that matters is the trophy'

In a title showdown charged with tension, numbers, and a hint of intra-team intrigue, Max…

16 hours ago

Leclerc says Ferrari early pivot to 2026 ‘a no-brainer’

Charles Leclerc isn’t sugarcoating Ferrari’s struggles this season – but he also isn’t second-guessing the…

17 hours ago