UIM F2: Jarno Vilmunen joins Sundberg Boat Racing for 2027

Finland's Jarno Vilmunen, the 2023 UIM F4 world champion, has settled his 2027 programme: he will contest the full UIM F2 season with the Sundberg Boat Racing Team, according to Powerboat News.

A new Motormix F2 hull

Vilmunen will drive a new Finnish-designed Motormix F2 hull paired with a Mercury OptiMax engine. Motormix's F2 project restarted in 2023, after Vilmunen's F4 title. The first prototype ran in October 2024; testing showed the hull needed more structural strength and better handling in rough water, which led to major changes.

The hull was designed around the Mercury 250 APX, which is at the centre of the current ECU dispute. For 2027, though, Vilmunen stays with the OptiMax and will develop the package with Motormix and builder Roger Lönnberg. The team sees the APX as a longer-term goal.

2026, a development year

This year Vilmunen raced only the first two rounds, scoring points at Brindisi, and deliberately skipped the last three: 2026 was devoted to developing the boat. At the European Championship at Viverone, the team had lost its two best propellers at the previous race and borrowed replacements. Vilmunen still completed four full heats, after which the team ended its season.

Sundberg, a growing team

Sundberg Boat Racing Team is preparing a six-boat programme for 2027, from GT10 to F2 and Offshore 3A, plus a new Junior Academy with four places, where young drivers move up from GT10 through GT15 to GT30, with F4 and F2 as the goal. Wilhelm Sundberg already races for the team in F4. Vilmunen expects to help coach the juniors.

His ambitions

Vilmunen says he wants to fight for podiums as often as possible. He was drawn by the team's technical knowledge and long-term outlook: in powerboat racing, he says, success is not just about the driver.

The editorial team will follow the build-up to the 2027 UIM F2 season as entries are confirmed.