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First free practice: Marijn van Kalmthout shows his class

First free practice session in Zandvoort 2017.

First free practice of the race-weekend in Zandvoort is history and returnee Marijn van Kalmthout, back on BOSS GP-track after three years break, immediately showed his class.

As expected the grid tested a lot during the first practice. Nevertheless the results of the session show a couple of interesting issues. Marijn van Kalmthout (OPEN class) set the space for the fastest lap with his Benetton B197 F1 in 1:29.255 min, followed by the young Austrian Johann Ledermair (FORMULA Class) in a Dallara GP2 with 1:29.623 min.

As in Hockenheim at the first races of the season, Indian youngster Mahaveer Raghunathan (FORMULA Class) is driving at the top of the grid too, showing his fastest lap at the free practice with 1:31,415 min with his LOLA Auto GP. So he is an aspirant for the podium of the races as well.

Karl-Heinz Becker at the free practice in Zandvoort 2017.

Karl-Heinz Becker at the free practice in Zandvoort 2017.

Another returnee of the BOSS GP Championship after a break of couple of years is Marc Fagionatto. With his Dallara GP2 he drove his best lap time in 1:38.752 min, meaning being at the Top 3 of the FORMULA class.

Back on track as well – Karl-Heinz Becker. “The car wasn’t ready yet for Hockenheim. We look forward, finally to race in Zandvoort”, his team can’t wait for the races at the “Jumbo Race Festival” in Zandvoort. Having a long racing history and a lot of experience he started onto the track with his Dallara World Series by Nissan, racing a 1:49,087 min.

Second free training session for the BOSS GP start grid is set at 3:25 p.m. and will last 25 minutes. Since weather conditions, wind and rain, are challenging once more, it’s supposed to be another exciting session for drivers and teams.

Results of first free practice in Zandvoort 2017.

Results of first free practice in Zandvoort 2017.

Start list for Zandvoorts « Jumbo Race Festival by Max Verstappen » is set

Impression of free practice in Hockenheim 2017.

Step 2 of  the BOSS GP Championship season 2017 this weekend (20.-21./05.2017) is coming closer. The start list for the motorsport event in the Netherlands is now set. 

As known BOSS GP is runing an OPEN class and a FORMULA class. Formula 1 and Champ Cars will battle for Championship points in the OPEN class, while GP2, Superleague Formula, Auto GP and World Series by Renault will fight for podium places in the FORMULA class.

Reigning Champion and current leader of the OPEN class, Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed), wont race the track in Zandvoort, as well as Klaas Zwart, due to technical reasons. But nevertheless spectators can look to an exciting duel on the track, since Marijn van Kalmthout, driver with a long history with BOSS GP and returning after a break of racing, and his son Rinus van Kalmthout, with his first race ever at BOSS GP will be on track in the OPEN class. Rinus van Kalmthout is well known as one of the greatest up-coming race talents in the Netherlands. So his entry race at the BOSS GP championship will be without a doubt an exciting issue to watch out for.

Start-No. Name Team Nat. Make
11 Rinus van Kalmthout Mansell Motorsport NED Dallara
12 Marijn van Kalmthout Mansell Motorsport NED Benetton B197

Eleven drivers will compete in the FORMULA class. Current leader of the class, Johann Ledermair, will be on track, hunting for the next podiums. So this is what the starting field for the FORMULA class in Zandvoort 2017 looks like:

Start-No. Name Team Nat. Make
101 Peter Göllner Speed Center SUI Dallara
111 ‘PETER’ Easy Formula FRA Dallara
115 Mahaveer Raghunathan Coloni Motorsport IND Lola
129 Marc Fagionatto Zig Zag MC Dallara
136 Henk de Boer De Boer Manx NED Dallara
323 Armando Mangini MM International Motorsport ITA Lola
411 Karl-Heinz Becker Becker Motorsport GER Dallara
444 Johann Ledermair Ledermair Motorsport AUT Dallara
555 Christian Eicke Speed Center SUI Dallara
888 Florian Schnitzenbaumer Top Speed GER Dallara
999 Salvatore De Plano MM International Motorsport ITA Dallara

Tens of thousands of motorsport enthusiasts are exptected for the « Jumbo Racedagen » in Zandvoort. BOSS GP will be part of this huge motorsport experience at the track about 30 km in the west of the Dutch capital Amsterdam.

BOSS GP will compete at seven different European venues in 2017, holding 14 races in total. Hockenheim in April meant kick off for the season, Zandvoort will see race 3 and 4 of the BOSS GP season. The followings tracks are Paul Picard (FRA), Zolder (BEL), Assen (NED), Brno (CZE) and Imola (ITA).

More:

Find detailed statistics of last BOSS GP seasons here: bossgp.com/archive

All data about the last BOSS GP race at the Zandvoort Circuit (05/2014) you find here: bossgp.com/race/masters-of-formula-3-blancpain-gt-sprint/

Find all informations about “Jumbo Racedagen by Max Verstappen” on this website: www.circuitzandvoort.nl/en/events/jumbo-familie-racedagen

Timetable for « Jumbo Race Festival » in Zandvoort

Race Dagen in Zandvoort 2017.

The BOSS GP Championship season opener in Hockenheim ist history, the next race weekend is just around the corner. At the coming weekend the « Jumbo Race Festival by Max Verstappen » provides great action for motorsport fans and enthusiasts. Starting on Friday morning with the first free practice, the BOSS GP crew is looking forward to an exciting race-weekend in Zandvoort (NL).

The « Jumbo Racing Days », driven by Max Verstappen, are a spectacular event from 19/05/2017 (friday) until 21/05/2017 (sunday) at the Circuit Park Zandvoort, about 30 km in the west of Amsterdam, where racingfans will come on pole position. Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen, native Dutch, who gave his name to this event, will give high speed demonstrations with a Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car on saturday and sunday. For Dutch motorsport enthusiasts it’s the only chance, to see Verstappen driving his F1 car in the Netherlands. But his demonstrations are not the only highlight of a packed weekend: BOSS GP will show its season races 3 and 4 on the circuit in Zandvoort, as well as the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux, TCR Benelux and GT & Prototype Challenge will do.

Practice day on Friday, 19/05/2017

The race weekend will begin for drivers and crews with the first free practice on Friday morning at 10:50 a.m. Second free practice will start at the afternoon, 3:25 p.m.

Zandvoort track will be packed full with free practices and qualifyings whole Friday from 10:00 a.m. until ca. 5:30 p.m.

Qualifying and racing day 1 on Saturday, 20/05/2017

10:10 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. will be the dates to watch out for on saturday. Qualifying will be held in the morning at 10:10 a.m, whereas the first race of the weekend will start in the afternoon at 3:10 p.m. The “Jumbo Race Festival” will open its gates in the morning at 9:00 a.m. The programme will close ca. 5:00 p.m., Max Verstappen will have his first presentation at 9:45 a.m.

Racing day 2 on Sunday, 21/05/2017

The second BOSS GP race this weekend will be held on sunday late morning at 12:15 p.m. The overall schedule provides 13 different highlights on sunday, races as well as demonstrations. Programme starts at 9:00 a.m. and is about to finish ca. 5:00 p.m.

As every good racing event – the schedule is always subject to – minor – changes.

You can find the complete timetable of the « Jumbo Race Festival » at the website of the circuit: Time schedule of the « Jumbo Race Festival ».

BOSS GP team will be on track all days and provide plenty of live coverage and updates not only on our website but also on all our social media channels:

www.facebook.com/bossgp2010

www.instagram.com/bossgp2010

www.twitter.com/bossgp2010

Snapchat: bossgp2010

BOSS GP races bringing spectators at pole position.

BOSS GP races bringing spectators on pole position.

Zandvoort second step of season 2017

 

BOSS GP will compete at seven different European venues in 2017, holding 14 races in total. Season kick off was held in Hockenheim and is followed by Zandvoort this weekend. Next tracks will be Paul Picard (FRA), Zolder (BEL), Assen (NED), Brno (CZE) and Imola (ITA).

More:

Find detailed statistics of the current season here: bossgp.com/races

Find all informations about the « Jumbo Race Festival » on this website: www.circuitzandvoort.nl/en/events?lang=EN&slug=jumbo-familie-racedagen

You want to order tickets for the event? Get them here: www.circuitzandvoort.nl/en/events?lang=EN&slug=jumbo-familie-racedagen#event-tab-tickets

Registration-end for Zandvoort on 11th of May

BOSS GP on track in Hockenheim 2017.

First two races of season 2017 are done, the next ones are right behind the corner: The « Jumbo Familie Racedagen », i.e. the Jumbo Race Festival by Max Verstappen, at the Zandvoort Circuit (Netherlands) will be the venue for race 3 and 4 of BOSS GP Championship 2017. The event will take place from 19th to 21st of May 2017.

About 30 km in the west of Netherlands capital Amsterdam the Circuit Park Zandvoort is awaiting the BOSS GP drivers and teams for two spectacular races. BOSS GP will be an important part of the « Jumbo Familie Racedagen », which will attract motorsport enthusiasts of all ages. In addition to different demonstrations, e.g. by Formula 1 driver and event name giver Max Verstappen, a couple of races will take place at the Jumbo Days in Zandvoort. BOSS GP will not only race for the next podiums of the season, but also show spectators and fans, what pure motorsport, noise and speed mean. Race 3 of  the BOSS GP season is scheduled for Saturday (20/05/2017), race 4 for Sunday (21/05/2017).

Driver registration for the races in Zandvoort is currently going on and will end next Thursday, 11th of May 2017. Registration can be done online, just follow this link: bossgp.com/registration/zandvoort-2017/

Zandvoort is the second stop of the Championship 2017 season. Seven races all over Europe with stations in Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Czech Republic and Italy will make up the complete 2017 BOSS GP Championship season. First two races of the season are done

The BOSS GP team as well as fans and spectators look forward to an exciting starting grid on the track of Zandvoort!

Gerstl and Ledermair take the victories home in race 2

Podium of race 2 of the OPEN class in Hockenheim.

After a very crazy 2017 kick off race in Hockenheim on Saturday (22/04/2017), things worked out considerably better for the second race at the Hockenheimring on Sunday.

Eleven drivers made it to the starting grid of the race. Unfortunately five drivers had to cancel the race, mainly resulting from technical reasons or crashes. So there was no way to race for Klaas Zwart (Team Ascari) after his crash in Saturday’s race. A fact, as well drivers as fans regretted a lot: « I missed Klaas a lot on track. He is always one of my strongest competitors, so racing with and against him is much more fun », Ingo Gerstl (TOP Speed) said.

While weather conditions were way better than on Saturday, which led to a crazy race, there was a smooth raceday on Sunday for BOSS GP without any crashes and no time under yellow flags or with safety car. First six spots of the grid where dominantly taken by Gerstl, Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport), Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing), Florian Schnitzenbaumer (TOP Speed), Wolfgang Jaksch (F-Xtreme Racing Team) and Mahaveer Raghunathan (Coloni Motorsport) for all 18 laps. These drivers finally made it onto the podiums of the OPEN and the FORMULA class.

While Gerstl again raced a start-finish victory and lead the grid during the overall race time of 25 minutes, he secured his second P1 of the season and is leading the OPEN class ranking list by the maximum of 50 points. Phil Stratford showed a great performance like on Saturday’s race again and took it to P2, followed by Wolfgang Jaksch with his first podium ever in BOSS GP. Stratford and Jaksch take according positions in the ranking list of the OPEN class as well.

Podium of the FORMULA class of race 2 in Hockenheim.

Podium of the FORMULA class of race 2 in Hockenheim.

After P2 in first season race on Saturday Johann Ledermair took it to P1 of the FORMULA class in Sundays race and showed a quite bigger smile at the podium ceremony than on the day before, when he wasn’t that happy with P2. « The race worked out well for us. We still need more time and races to get more familiar with the new tyres by Pirelli », the 25 years old Austrian explained. Schnitzenbaumer on P2 and, as in race 1, Raghunathan on P3 completed the podium. After the first two races of the season Johann Ledermair is now leading the overall ranking list in the FORMULA class with 47 points, followed by Mahaveer Raghunathan (Coloni Motorsport) and Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed), both with 40 points.

More informations about race 2 of BOSS GP season 2017 is to come.

So long find the detailed result of the race here: Hockenheim 2017: Results of race 2.

Starting grid for race 2 in Hockenheim is set

Starting grid for race 2 in Hockenheim is set.

After an turbulenced filled season kick off at the very first race of the year the starting grid for the second race on Sunday afternoon is set.

Second race of the season during the « Hockenheim Historic » will start at 2:15 p.m. Expectations and anticipation of the drivers are huge.

Highly ambitioned is Mahaveer Raghunathan (Coloni Motorsport), P3 in the FORMULA class in Saturday’s race 1 and starting from position 5 in race 2. « I will be much fast than in race 1 and I want to win », the 18 years old Indian says.

Meanwhile Ingo Gerstl, overall winner of race 1 and P1 in the OPEN class in Saturday’s race and starting again from pole position in race 2, is hoping not only for good weather conditions but also for « a real challenge after the disastrous first race ».

« I hope for a real challenge. »
Ingo Gerstl (TOP Speed), Race 1 P1 OPEN class

BOSS GP - Results - Hockenheim 2017 (Grid R2)

Weather turbulences crashes first race in Hockenheim *UPDATE* (23.04.17)

First race of the season 2017 on Hockenheimring.

Oh what a crazy kick off race for the season 2017 this was. With one hour delay in the ambitious scheduled programme of the “Hockenheim Historic” the drivers raced onto the track for the first podium spots of the season. The grid had quite a compact number at this point: Only eigth drivers finally started in the first BOSS GP Championship race of the season, which was overshadowed by freaky weather conditions.

Rain? No rain? Finally it was a decision just by seconds – rain tyres or no rain tyres? Exactly when the BOSS GP grid starts in their warm-up lap for the race all of a sudden rain started out of the thick blanket of clouds for the first time of the day. As a consequence couple of cars dropped out of the race already before the start. Including Wolfgang Jaksch (F-Xtreme, OPEN class) with the Super Aguri, whose car-rescue took quite an amount of time of 15 minutes. Due to permanent delays of the programme-schedule the race management decided, to cut the official race time down from 20 to 12 minutes for the eight drivers left at the grid after the troubled race-intro. When the engines were started, the next safecty car period was just a question of seconds: Already in the first turn (“Ravenol-Kurve”) Klaas Zwart (Team Ascari, OPEN class), one of the favourites for the first podium spots of the season, was out of the race after a crash into the barriers.

Starting grid at Hockenheims first race 2017.

Starting grid at Hockenheims first race 2017.

 

When the safety car had left the circuit, the biggest point were the driving capabilities of the drivers during the challenging weather conditions. “After turbulences and exits of a couple of cars already in the beginning of the race, my only goal was, to finish the race without any damage”, explained Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing, FORMULA class). The newcomer not only rolled up the field from behind in his very first race ever at BOSS GP, he also raced the best lap time (1:39.941 min) and secured P1 at the FORMULA class in front of Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) on P2 and Mahaveer Raghunathan (Coloni Motorsport) on P3.

Safety car on track at Hockenheimring.

BOSS GP safety car on track at Hockenheimring.

 

The OPEN class was dominated by Ingo Gerstl (TOP Speed) with a start-finish victory, which put the Austrian as the overall winner of the race and meant P1 at the OPEN class podium. He was followed by Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) on P2. Since Gerstl and Stratford were the only OPEN class driver left in the grid, there finally was no P3 in the first race of the season.

Accordingly Ingo Gerstls reaction after the race: “That was a disastrous race! It started dribbling, when we left the paddock. The outdoor temperatures were way too cold for the slicks. So we had to change the tyres, rain stopped, rain started again, we saw plenty of crashes. The remaining race time I was just holding to my experience and instinct, to finish the race without any trouble and keep the car on the track. Lap time didn’t really matter for me.” At the qualifying in the morning he had impressed with a fabulous time of 1:20.174 min, during the race he put his best lap to 1:40.382 min. “I saw Klaas [Zwart] next to me, hitting the wall. Finally I am really happy, that I finished. But – that was no brilliant performance, one clearly have to point that out.” For the second race on Sunday afternoon (2:15 p.m.) Gerstl is not only hoping for good weather conditions, but for “a real challenge after the disastrous first race”.

Podium of the OPEN class of first race in Hockenheim.

Podium of the OPEN class of first race in Hockenheim.

 

Meanwhile, Phil Stratford, P2 of the OPEN class, was totally happy with the podium: “Most of all I am happy, that I made the car crossing the finishing line in one piece. Today was the first time, I raced this car, even under really difficult conditions. The rain tyres gave me some confidence, but my plan was, to manage a position behind another car and take this car as an orientation for my race. Probably a better time would have been possible, but actually I had more to lose than to win. I want to thank my team, which did a brilliant job and is happy with the result of todays race quite a bit.”

Andreas Fielder was overwhelmed by his first P1 in the FORMULA class at the first race of the season: “I didn’t expect this at all. Particularly after having huge trouble at the qualifying with our setup”, he happily resumed. The BOSS GP newcomer was fine with the weather conditions: “I like driving during such weather. In the beginning of the race I held back, just wanted to finish the race without any trouble. That I made P1 finally in my very first race at BOSS GP – that’s really overwhelming and a great experience.”

Fiedler benefited from a penalty for Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport), who had led the field of the FORMULA class at practice sessions and qualifying. The 25 years old Austrian got an 10-second-time-penalty due to rule-violation, as well as Italian Salvatore de Plano (MM International Motorsport), who finished as fifth at the FORMULA class.

Podium of the FORMULA class of the first race in Hockenheim.

Podium of the FORMULA class of the first race in Hockenheim.

 

Highly ambitious for the second race on Sunday is Mahaveer Raghunatan, P3 of the FORMULA class: „I want to dedicate this podium to my grandfather, without whom I wouldn’t race here”, the 18 years old Indian says. “The potential of the race was higher than my result, if I wouldn’t have raced with Slicks but with rain tyres. But I am very happy with the podium. I will be much faster in the race on Sunday and want to win then”, the youngest driver of the grid was focusing on Sunday’s race directly after the podium ceremony.

Second race in Hockenheim is schedulded on Sunday (23/04/2017) at 2:15 p.m. Find all informations about BOSS GPs race in Hockenheim here: bossgp.com/race/hockenheim-historic-2017

 

UPDATE (23.04.2017 @ 13:50h)

Due to a rule breach by the team of Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing), using a wrong tyre make in race 1, and after consultation with the Hockenheim race direction, the BOSS GP Championship board has decided to penalise Andreas Fiedler as follows:

  1. Full Championship points for P1 will be denied
  2. Start in race 2 from the last position on the grid

sg. Christian Gaense / BOSS GP Championship Coordinator

 

 

MORE:

Find the detailed result of Race 1 at Hockenheim here: Hockenheim 2017: Results of Race 1.

Find the report of the qualifying at Hockenheim here: Hockenheim 2017: Report of Qualifying.

See the report of second free practice at Hockenheim here: Hockenheim 2017: Report of second free practice.

See the report of first free practice at Hockenheim here: Hockenheim 2017: Report of first free practice.

Find all informations about “Hockenheim Historic” here www.hockenheim-historic.de and the website of Hockenheimring itself at www.hockenheimring.de.

Gerstl takes the pole position with fabulous time

Ingo Gerstl racing a fabulous time during qualifying in Hockenheim 2017.

With a fabulous lap time of 1:20.174 min Ingo Gerstl, reigning OPEN class champion of the BOSS GP series, secured the pole position for first race of the season in Hockenheim on Saturday morning. The Austrian even raced a much faster lap, but his sensational lap in 1:19.689 min was canceled by the race officials due to rule violation.

While weather conditions in Hockenheim on Saturday morning were overcast, but dry, couple of thousand spectators on the legendary Formula 1 circuit saw an fascinating qualifying for the season kick off race of BOSS GP. Klaas Zwart turned out the be the strongest competitor for Ingo Gerstl for the pole position. He secured the second position with 1:21.068 min. Johann Ledermair raced the fastest lap at the FORMULA class during the qualifying and will start from third position into the race on the afternoon.

BOSS GP on track while qualifying in Hockenheim.

BOSS GP on track while qualifying in Hockenheim.

While the best eight drivers out of the free practices on Friday went on track first for ten minutes, to race their best lap time, the remaining eight drivers were following and brought their best performance onto the track for a 20 minutes time slot.

Almost all drivers improved their lap times out of the practices on Friday significant. This is, what the start grid for the first race on Saturday afternoon after qualifying now looks like:

Starting grid of first race of BOSS GP season 2017 in Hockenheim.

Starting grid of first race of BOSS GP season 2017 in Hockenheim.

MORE:

Detailed statistics of the qualifying at Hockenheim: Hockenheim 2017: Results of qualifying.

See the report of second free practice at Hockenheim here: Hockenheim 2017: Report of second free practice in Hockenheim 2017.

See the report of first free practice at Hockenheim here: Report of first free practice in Hockenheim 2017.

Find all informations about “Hockenheim Historic” here www.hockenheim-historic.de and the website of Hockenheimring itself at www.hockenheimring.de.

Good impression by returning Jaksch and newcomer Fiedler at second practice in Hockenheim

Wolfgang Jaksch (OPEN class) and Walter Steding (FORMULA class) back on track, Ingo Gerstl (OPEN class) and Johann Ledermair (FORMULA class) confirm their good shape again – that’s the result of Fridays afternoon second free practice of BOSS GP at Hockenheim Historic.

14 out of 17 drivers, nine in FORMULA class, five in OPEN class, started the free practice session and finished it as well. As in the morning session the fastest lap of the FORMULA class was driven by Johann Ledermair (Team Ledermair Motorsport), in the OPEN class Ingo Gerstl (TOP Speed) lead the field again and marked the fastest laptime of all drivers once again, even with the slight difference of +0.255 seconds to the morning session.

Wolfgang Jakschs Super Aguri, prepared for second practice in Hockenheim.

Wolfgang Jakschs Super Aguri, prepared for second practice in Hockenheim.

Ledermair and Gerstl confirm their top shape

While Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) confirmed the first position of the FORMULA class in the second practice, BOSS GP newcomer Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing) made a good impression and finished the session on third position. “I was aiming for a lap time around 1:30 minute”, he explained after the session. “So I am very happy with the result.” Finishing the second practice with the fastest lap time of 1:30.485 min Fiedler greatly improved from the first practice in the morning with a best time of 1:32.239 min. “Since BOSS GP is a new experience for me by now, the goal for the race in Hockenheim is to get a feeling for the characteristics and special features of the series. It’s great competition, great cars, great drivers. For me it’s like a dream coming true, being part of BOSS GP and racing such a great car. Years ago I dreamed of sitting in such a Formula racing car. Now I even drive such a car”, Fiedler, competing with a Dallara Mecachrome 4.0 V8, was full of joy after practice day at Hockenheim circuit.

« It’s like a dream coming true.Years ago I dreamed of sitting in such a Formula racing car. Now I even drive such a car. »
Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing)

Austrian Bernd Herndlhofer (H&A Racing) missed the second practice of the day in the OPEN class, but Wolfgang Jaksch (F-Xtreme Racing Team), who missed the morning session, returned to track with his newly built Super Aguri SA06 Cosworth 3.0 V10. He made a good first impression and finished on third position with a 1:30.063 min lap best time. Meanwhile Zwart just finished four laps, but will be fully present at Qualifying on Saturday morning again.

BOSS GP Paddock in Hockenheim.

BOSS GP Paddock in Hockenheim.

 

BOSS GP raceday on Saturday (22/04/2017) starts with qualifying at 10:00 a.m.. The first race is set at the afternoon, 3:15 p.m. The second race will start on Sunday (23/04/2017) afternoon at 2:15 p.m.

More:

See detailed results of second free practice at Hockenheim here:: Hockenheim 2017: Results of second free practice.

See the report of the first free practice at Hockenheim here: Hockenheim 2017: Report of first free practice.

Find all informations about “Hockenheim Historic” here www.hockenheim-historic.de and the website of Hockenheimring itself at www.hockenheimring.de.

Ledermair and Gerstl lead first free practice in Hockenheim

Ingo Gerstl at first free practice in Hockenheim 2017.

Sunshine and 11° Celsius were awaiting the start field of BOSS GP for first free practice at « Hockenheim Historic » on friday morning as well as the German Formular 1 track at the Hockenheimring and loads of motorsport enthusiasts, which cheered the drivers along the track.

Eight out of the nine drivers, who joined the free practice at the FORMULA class, found their way back across the finishing line, while at the OPEN class all five drivers finished the practice. Fastest lap of the FORMULA class was driven by Johann Ledermair (Team Ledermair Motorsport), who finished the first free practice as leader of the class. At the OPEN class reigning Champion Ingo Gerstl (TOP Speed) managed the leading spot and marked the fastest laptime of all drivers.

Couple of drivers were missing. Henk de Boer (FORMULA class, De Boer Manx) had to cancel the first race of the season due to private reasons. Walter Steding (FORMULA class, Inter Europol Competion) gave up the free practice due to technical reasons after a crash on track on Thursday as well as Wolfgang Jaksch (OPEN class, FXtreme Racing Team), who wasn’t ready yet for racing due to technical reasons as well (“We expect, that we will be on track on Saturday. Currently we still have a load of work to do.”). “We hope, that Stedings car will be ready to use on Saturday again. Actually the team is working around the clock for that goal”, explains Christian Gänse, race-coordinator of BOSS GP.

BOSS GP on Hockenheim track.

BOSS GP on Hockenheim track.

 

During practice on Friday morning Christian Eicke (FORMULA class, Speed Center) and Johann Ledermair led to turbulences. Eicke had to retire already after two laps due to technical reasons. The leading driver of the FORMULA class Ledermair, had to give up after six laps as well as a result of technical reasons, which pushed him into the gravel trap. “We took the first five laps for our coordination, which went pretty well, we made good progess. Then we used the chance, trying some stuff. That didn’t work out that well, we had some slight technical issues, which dropped me out of the race”, explains Ledermair, who is happy with the new used Pirelli tyres: “I am pleasantly surprised. We are not yet near the point, we want to be. But for the moment it feels really well.” The 25 years old native Tirolean has ambitious goals for the weekend: “I’m really happy about the results of the first free practice. Now we are fully focused on the second practice in the afternoon.”

New tyres by Pirelli are big topic for drivers

As well satisfied with the first practice session was Ingo Gerstl, leader and reigning champion of the OPEN class: “It went much better than expected. I didn’t race for a couple of months during the winter, so you have to get used to it again after such a long period of time. But everything went really well. The lap time became secondary for myself – the feeling was great, everything was fitting. That’s the most important point for now.” Despite driving the fastest lap time of the field, Gerstl knows about the strengths of his competitors. Klaas Zwart (Team Ascari) is not far behind the leader: “I can’t sleep, they will drive much faster during the next days”, says the Austrian. He is satisfied with the new tyre material as well: “I needed about two laps for warming up the tyres, but everything worked out very well. I’m really satisfied with the Pirellis.” Klaas Zwart agrees with Gerstl about the new tyres, but is aware of learning needs: “After spending years of developing tyres by Avon, the tyres by Pirelli are a new challenge for our team. We have to figure out the characteristics of the Pirellis. But actually every race is a process of learning for our team. So I am absolutely confident, that we will develop our knowledge during the next weeks and monts.” The Dutch is satisfied with his first practice result: “My team did a great job, the car was brilliant. I have to get used to new tyres. This process needs a bit of time.” Looking to his closest competitor Zwart says: “Ingo [Gerstl] set a really good lap time. Obviously he already learned much more than me and did a better job than me today. We will see, how the next days will work out.”

Klaas Zwart discussing the new Pirelli tyres.

Klaas Zwart discussing the new Pirelli tyres.

 

Second free practice is set for Friday afternoon at 3:40 p.m. Saturday morning Qualifying starts at 10:00 a.m., first race is set for the afternoon at 3:15 p.m. The second race will start on sunday afternoon at 2:15 p.m.

See plenty of details of the first free practice at Hockenheim here: Hockenheim 2017: Results of first free practice.

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