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The F4 Central European Zone Championship returns from its summer break for the fourth round of the 2026 season, with Ella Hakkinen among the 40 drivers on the entry list. The Racing Journal Speed Fest at Autodrom Most will be a home event for Hakkinen, who competes under the Czech flag.

“I’m proud to represent the Czech Republic, especially with my family there to support me this race weekend in Most. The Czech Republic is where I spend most of my holidays with my family, so racing here in front of Czech fans means a lot to me,” says Hakkinen, who drives for Jenzer Motorsport and currently sits 14th in the drivers’ standings.

The daughter of two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen competed in karting until this year, when she made the transition to single-seater racing and began focusing fully on Formula 4.

“The biggest challenge in the transition was managing the tyres, that’s very different from karting. What excited me most was the extra speed and the size of the car compared to a kart,” Hakkinen explains.

Across the opening three rounds at the Red Bull Ring, Salzburgring and Slovakia Ring, she claimed three victories in the Women’s Trophy and recorded four top-three finishes among the F4 CEZ rookies. She also finished seventh overall at the Slovakia Ring, her best overall result of the season so far.

Her next challenge will be Autodrom Most, where she will compete for the first time.

“The track looks exciting and I’m looking forward to racing here for the first time. My goal is to learn as much as I can, enjoy the weekend, and have fun racing in the Czech Republic,” says Hakkinen.

She will once again drive her black-and-orange Formula 4 car, which features colours matching those of the McLaren Formula 1 Team. As a member of the McLaren Driver Development Program, Hakkinen receives support both on and off the track.

“The McLaren Driver Development Program offers broad support, both on the media side and the technical side for racing drivers,” Hakkinen explains.

“An important part of racing is being physically and mentally ready, and that’s what I’m currently focusing on with my personal trainer from Hintsa,” adds Hakkinen.

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