©WSeries

Nobody has ever really come up with a good explanation about why a country of just 5 million people - but 77 billion trees - has produced so many great racing drivers.

Driving as fast as possible as young as possible appears to be a rite of passage in Finland, be it on asphalt roads, gravel roads, or roads covered in dirt or snow. The ability to drive a car on the ragged edge of adhesion is just ingrained in the country's culture.

Emma Kimilainen - a surname that's a tell-tale sign on its own about what this young woman is about - put her "culture" and skills to good use in the penultimate round of the W Series at Assen on Saturday.

From pole, Emma bowed to Alice Powell but a small error by the Brit put the Finn back in charge, a position she retained until the checkered flag.

Kimilainen's win has kept the all-female championship wide open for its grand finale that will take place at Brands Hatch in three weeks.

Williams development driver Jamie Chadwick - who finished third at Assen - slightly increased her advantage in the series over rival Beitske Visser, with 13 points now separating the two title contenders.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Rosberg lifts lid on Mercedes civil war with Hamilton

Nico Rosberg has once again pulled back the curtain on one of Formula 1’s most…

5 hours ago

Formula 1 has a new ‘most marketable’ driver as Hamilton falls

Formula 1 has a new marketability king, and the honour comes once again with a…

6 hours ago

A shock pole for Canadian rain man Lance Stroll

For all the criticism lobbed at Lance Stroll during his F1 career, and especially this…

7 hours ago

Grosjean pivots to sportscars as IndyCar options dry up

After twenty-three years of threading open-wheel cockpits through the world’s fastest corners, Romain Grosjean is…

9 hours ago

Wolff gives Mercedes staff freedom to skip F1's Middle East races

Toto Wolff is backing Formula 1's decision to press ahead with its Middle East commitments,…

10 hours ago

Daily Mail reporter’s F1 ban sparks extraordinary attack on Vasseur

Veteran F1 journalist Jonathan McEvoy has discovered that a long career covering Formula 1 does…

11 hours ago