The Finnish Championship series was started last weekend at Botniaring after the Covid-19 postponed the season opening and shortened the series to a two-round championship. Milla Mäkelä and Mtec Formula Technology experienced a lot of technical issues, but it was all sorted at the last minute to minimize the damage.
“We were lacking 2 seconds during free practice which was completely not what we expected. I told the team that I simply can’t get any faster with this car. That absolutely everyone get away on the straights and in the corners I can catch up a bit.” Milla Mäkelä sums up.
The team worked hard to find out what was wrong. They changed the differential, checked the clutch, gear box, fuel system, tyres, brakes… Things were fixed, but the speed was still missing.
“The Ecu can only be read by the scrutineering. We used that as a last chance on Saturday morning. Scrutineering checked the ECU and we found out that one sensor was messed up. Fortunately we got a new one just in time for the Qualy.” Team manager Markku Mäkelä said.
In Qualy Milla was 5th. In race 1 Milla got to 4th place in the first lap and started to catch up the front three that got away a bit during the overtake in the first lap. On the last lap Milla had good tires and was on the edge to make a move for P3, but it would have needed just one more lap to finish the plan. On the line Milla was 4th , just a second behind P2 and less than 0,5 secs to P3 after racing for 20 minutes.
On Sunday Milla started from 4th on the grid for race 2. The start was tight and Milla did get a small hit in the rear. Despite that she managed to claim 3rd place and was challenging for P2 before the problems started.
“I had a brake fluid leak in the front brakes. The pedal was soft so it was just surviving to the finish line from half way of the race. Luckily I lost only one place and was 4th again. It was amazing to see how our whole team lived with emotions in the game when we were struggling on Friday and Saturday. Huge thank you to the team for not giving up before everything was ok again!” Milla recaps.
In a short Championship series everything is still open from P4 with two more races to go at Alastaro in September. Milla is set to give it their best shot in round 2 and they are confident that it will be enough to fight for any medal!
Now you can help Milla to reach her goal and get your name on her car!
If you want to see your name in the V8 Thunder Mercedes AMG and support Milla in her fight for medals it is now possible to do with 50 euros/name! Email milla@makelaracing.fi or contact any member of Mäkelä Racing Team and we will give you information how to participate. Thank you to all supporters!
Photos AKK/Pertti Kangasniemi