The success of the SMP F4 NEZ Championship attracted several teams this year. On top of MP Motorsport, the Series welcomes Fernando Alonso Racing from Spain, Lappalainen Team from Finland and now ALM Motorsport. The single-operation however remains in place, with the set-up and tire pressure being the same for all the cars and drivers focusing in learning how to drive open-wheels cars.
ALM Motorsport, Estonian team based on auto24ring, Parnu is joining the 2017 SMP F4 NEZ Championship certified by FIA with two local drivers, Jan-Erik Meikup and Sten Piirimagi. ALM Motorsport has been active since 2013, mainly in the Formula Renault 2.0 NEZ Championship and touring cars, having successful seasons, scoring podiums every year. After 2016, ALM Motorsport looked for the opportunity to enter a professional series and decided to join the SMP F4 NEZ Championship certified by FIA.
Martin Laur, ALM Motorsport Manager
“The SMP F4 NEZ Championship is a great platform for young drivers to start to develop themselves as racing drivers. ALM Motorsport is pleased to have an opportunity to enter the series with our own team and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead. We are really happy to have two talented Estonian drivers – Jan-Erik Meikup and Sten Dorian Piirimägi – with us for our maiden season in the championship”
Jan-Erik Meikup, a young but experienced driver
Jan-Erik Meikup started his racing career at the age of 5, when he debuted karting competition in Estonia in Cadet category, claiming his first win on the same year. 17 years old Estonian driver then stepped up to formula racing in 2015, entering the Formula Renault 2.0 NEZ Championship with ALM Motorsport. He immediately scored podiums and wins, missing the title by one point on his maiden season but snatching a well-deserved rookie title.
Meikup then stepped up to the ADAC F4 German Championship, which gave him a strong experience to fight in a packed race with very experienced drivers.
Jan-Erik Meikup
“I’m looking forward to the start of the championship. I really like the fact that we are in an equal system with all the cars having the same set-up. It’s my second time in the F4 Tatuus-Abarth car and I feel more and more comfortable”
Sten Piirimagi, the Estonian rookie
Sten Piirimagi started karting in 2007 in Estonia. He drove the Micro (60cc) category, and finished third in his first ever race. He then left to compete in Belgium and entered different categories as Boxer Challenge, KF3, Rotax Senior, KZ2 and X30 SuperShifter.
Sten Piirimagi
“It will be my maiden year in single-seaters and I know I’ll have a lot to learn. The SMP F4 NEZ Championship is a very good step to start and I’m very thrilled about the coming season”