Motorsport Career
Like most aspiring motor racing drivers, Mustonen began his career with karting at the age of 11. By 2002, his talents were becoming evident as he won the ICA Junior Karting Championship in Finland, and successfully defended it in 2003. These titles lead to him being named Finnish Karting Driver of the Year in 2003 also.
2004 was a successful and pivotal year in Mustonen's career, with him winning the Finnish Formula A Championship and being named Finnish Karting Driver of the Year once again. In addition to this, he also competed in the Winter, Contructor and Pomposa International Cups, where his ability was being monitored by figures in many motorsport quarters.
2005 saw Mustonen transfer to the Italian FR 2.0 Winter Trophy, which he won. 2006 then saw his compete in the European version, where he registered a few podiums in another successful season.
Mustonen was signed by Raikkonen Robertson Racing for the 2007 British Formula Three Championship, as team-mate in the Championship class to Jonathan Kennard and Stephen Jelley. He impressed with his fast but often erratic races, not uncommon in a racing driver so young. He broke the lap record at Snetterton, and achieved his first victory of the season in race two at the Thruxton round of the championship. He ended the year 7th in the standings.
He returned for a second season in 2008, but had a largely uneventful season. A win at Rockingham was the only main highlight, as he ended up 6th in the championship, losing out on fifth to Marcus Ericsson in the final round.
Mustonen moved to the Formula Three Euroseries for the 2009 season, driving for the Motopark Academy team alongside Christopher Zanella. Mustonen missed the rounds at Oschersleben due to health problems, and was replaced by Renger van der Zande. Mustonen returned for the rounds at the Nürburgring and Brands Hatch, before van der Zande returned to replace him from Barcelona onwards.
Read more about this topic: Atte Mustonen
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