In Conversation with Jenni Silventoinen

It is often the case that when talking to people from across the world of motorsport, they all have pretty similar stories about how they first became interested in it.

Either they watched Formula 1 (or another motorsport series) on TV or a family member was involved in racing themselves – and a fair amount of the time, both. While that was partly the case here, Jenni Silventoinen’s first love was for the original kind of horsepower. A keen rider and competitor from the age of three onwards, this was a sport that dominated her life for over a decade.

But when the opportunity came to try her hand at motorsport, Jenni obviously could not refuse. Racing for Team Silver Racing and Sontek Racing in 2024, Jenni is doing everything she can to get as much experience under her belt as possible and aims to keep developing as a driver in 2025 and beyond. We caught up recently to chat about all this and much more, including how her competitive career in horse riding went, what her favourite film is and how 2024 is going for her so far.

I hope you enjoy our conversation.

What came first – your love for horses or your love for motorsport and how did you get involved in both of those worlds?

It all started with a love for horses when I was 3 years old. I had followed my mother’s passion for horse riding and competing and I wanted to try it myself. When I was 16 years old, we would have had to buy an expensive new horse to continue competing at the same level that I was at. That wasn’t possible, because racehorses of that level are really expensive.

Meanwhile, my father and brother have been involved in motorsport all their lives, but this was during a break when I was riding, because there was no time for both hobbies and my parents wanted to invest everything into my riding. However, my Dad asked me if I wanted to try racing and I said “okay”, because I always love to try something new and racing was already a familiar sport for my family. We went to the track and I fell in love with racing in that second and now I would never imagine living without it!

How long did you compete in dressage and how did it go?

I competed internationally for 11 years. My best achievements are: 4 Finnish Championship Medals (one gold and three silver), representation once in the European Championships and three times at the Nordic-Baltic Championships where our team got one bronze medal in 2019. I had two ponies that I competed with and got many victories and achievements with them both.

Tell me about your first racing experience and the kind of car you were racing.

My first racing experience was in Endurance with a BMW track car. I was a little nervous about the first race because it was an endurance race, i.e. a team race. I was nervous because I didn’t want to drive badly and spoil the driving of the other drivers. The team itself wasn’t nervous, but I didn’t want to ruin our success with my own driving.

Before I got in the car I was thinking “don’t mess up, this is my first race and I can’t fail!” . Well, I didn’t fail and the race went pretty good. Back then, there were no pre-race routines for me and I didn’t know “what to expect” . Nowadays, I have routines that I do before racing.

My first race with a Formula car was both much more nerve racking and more exciting for me. I didn’t have much training behind me and everything was new for me. For example, I had never left the grid for a race and I had never raced as an individual. It was like a different world. When I entered the Formula car and the belts were put on, I was really nervous, but at the same time I was so excited. It was a rainy race, but I got a good feel for the Formula. Then, when I was racing, I knew this is my thing and I want to do this more. I had never had the same feeling in an endurance race.

You competed with Team Silver Racing and Sontek Racing 6 last year – how was this and how would you describe your season?

Last year went really well and it was an unforgettable year because then I got a chance from Sontek Racing to start racing with their Formula car. However, I have driven endurance races with Sontek Racing my whole career and I still do so it was a little natural for this opportunity to come up. Silver Racing cooperates with Sontek Racing, so I race in both teams and my current Formula car is owned by Silver Racing, but I still also drive it under the name of Sontek Racing! They are like a “big family” to me and in two weeks, I’m going to drive Silver Racing’s Xtreme BMW in the Finnish Racing Championship.

For you, what are the main similarities between horse riding and motorsport?

Motorsport and horse riding have a lot in common and I think they support each other. In both, you have to be able to anticipate and understand the situation. Also in both you have to have good body control and be able to react to rapidly changing things. The difference is that you can’t replace a broken leg on a horse, but you can change a tire on a car! Also you don’t have to feed your car at 6am and go to walk with it There are a lot of differences all around, but the sports performance itself is much the same.

How has 2024 gone for you so far?

2024 has been so good so far! I have improved in my driving and have practised a lot. Podium places have come from every single race that I have competed in and at the last round of racing, I got a double win, which were my first wins in this Formula. In endurance we have won all the races so far. So I think it’s been a really good year so far and I can’t wait to see what the end of the year will bring!

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Do you have any ambitions for 2025 and beyond?

I have a goal to compete abroad and of course develop as a driver. It would also be great to be able to drive in bigger formulas and in bigger classes and I’m ready to work for it, so that would be possible someday.

What has been your favourite moment so far and what has been the most difficult moment?

My favourite moment has been the decision to start motorsport and another favourite moment has been the first formula race. Maybe the hardest moment has been giving up an international career with horses. But I don’t regret it, because I want to prioritise motorsport first.

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What does having the opportunity to go racing mean to you?

The opportunity to compete means a lot to me. I love to compete, I always have. And I couldn’t be more thankful to those who make it possible for me.

What is your favourite film?

That’s a hard one, because I never watch movies! I can’t stand still for that long Maybe if I had to say one I would say 007 Spectre.

What is the last song you listened to on repeat and what did you love about it?

My last song…hmm it was that one Finnish song named “äärirajoille, Cheek”. I listened to that this morning when I was training with horses It gives me good vibes and gives me motivation to train harder.