Karting Karjalainen competed in
karting from 2000 to 2003.
Single-seaters Formula BMW Karjalainen moved up to
German Formula BMW for 2004, and stayed in the same series for 2005. He scored a total of five points from his two years in the series.
Asian-based series Karjalainen moved to
Asia for 2006, competing in both the
Formula Three and
Formula Renault series based in the continent. He achieved greater success, and finished as runner-up in the 2007 Asian F3 standings.
GP2 Series Karjalainen was given the opportunity to compete in the
GP2 Series in
2007 by the
BCN Competicion team, following a shoulder injury to compatriot
Markus Niemelä which prevented him from driving. He made his debut at
Istanbul Park, failing to finish in the both races. He was replaced by the recovered Niemelä for the next race meeting.
Atlantic Championship Karjalainen moved to North America in
2008 to compete in the
Atlantic Championship. He raced for
Jensen MotorSport finishing 17th in overall standings with tenth position in
Grand Prix de Trois-Rivière being his best individual finish.
Formula Two In 2009, Karjalainen participated in the reformed
Formula Two series. He was keen to be the next Finn after
Keke Rosberg to be promoted from Formula Two to
Formula One. He drove the No. 23 car, finishing fifteenth in the championship.
GT Racing Back to Finland In 2010, after failing to collect budget large enough to compete in F2, Karjalainen returned to Finland to drive for Ferrari Team Nurminen, which competes in GT Finnish Championship with Ferrari F430 Challenge GT3 Cup. This is the first time Karjalainen has competed in GT-racing. ==Racing record==