Étiquette : 2024

Bon d’automne début au Mugello

Après la course à Assen/Pays-Bas et les vacances d’été qui ont suivi, les équipes de la BOSS GP Racing Series se sont dirigées vers le sud début octobre. Dès la clôture des inscriptions, il était clair qu’il y aurait à nouveau un très grand peloton de départ en Toscane avec 24 voitures. HS-Engineering d’Autriche avait fait une pause à Assen, mais les deux Dallara World Series V8 T12 étaient de nouveau engagées pour le Mugello. L’ancien pilote brésilien de Formule 1 Antonio Pizzonia avec le moteur Gibson de 4,5 litres plus puissant en classe Open et l’Irlandais Paul O’Connell avec le V8 de 3,5 litres. L’équipe française ZIG-ZAG a une nouvelle fois amené deux pilotes de renom de l’Auto GP au départ de la Classe Formule : le Monégasque Nicolas Matile et le Français Jean-Christope Peyre.


Jean-Christope Peyre (FRA), ZIG-ZAG Motorsport, Lola Auto-GP.

Il y a également eu des retrouvailles avec Giancarlo Pedetti (ITA), qui pilotait cette fois une Scuderia Palladio GP 2. Le Tchèque Vladimir Netušil participera pour la première fois à cette Formula Class. Il a osé passer de la Formule 3 au GP2 pour l’écurie italienne MM International Motorsport. Le grand peloton de départ a également été rejoint par le champion BOSS GP Super Lights 2022, l’Autrichien Andreas Hasler, qui a de nouveau amené sa Dallara World Series V6 T08 en Toscane après une longue absence technique.

Lors des deux séances d’entraînement libres, qui se sont déroulées dans des conditions changeantes, Ingo Gerstl (AUT) du Team Top-Speed ​​​​sur la Toro Rosso STR1 F1 et Antonio Pizzonia se sont affrontés. Gerstl a réalisé le meilleur temps de la FP1 avec 1:30.422, Pizzonia a répliqué comme le plus rapide de la FP2, mais n’a pas pu se rapprocher du temps de l’Autrichien avec 1:31.513. Derrière eux se trouve un trio italien du GP 2 avec Simone Colombo, Massimiliano Cuccarese (tous deux MM International Motorsport) et Marco Ghiotto (Scuderia Palladio). Le nouveau venu étonnamment fort Vladimir Netušil, qui s’est fait sentir après les deux séances d’essais libres derrière ce trio et donc dans le peloton de tête de la Classe Formule. Il fallait s’attendre à des qualifications passionnantes – et c’est ce qui s’est produit, bien qu’avec un retard considérable, car le brouillard matinal persistait et était si épais qu’un départ à temps n’était possible pour aucune des catégories de courses présentes au Mugello ce week-end. Ce n’est que deux heures plus tard que prévu que les premiers pilotes ont pris la piste au volant de l’Alfa Romeo Revival Cup.


Les retards dans le calendrier causés par l’épais brouillard n’ont en rien gâché l’humeur des participants à la Boss GP Racing Series (photo de gauche : Paul O’Connell / HS-Engineering, Ingo Gerst / Top-Speed ​​​​et Andreas Hasler / Hasler Motorsport).

Le brouillard s’est ensuite rapidement dissipé et la situation météorologique s’est améliorée. Cela signifiait que des temps au tour nettement meilleurs étaient possibles lors des qualifications pour le BOSS GP. En raison du grand peloton de départ, cette fois les 30 minutes. Qualifications à nouveau divisées en deux groupes. D’abord 10 minutes pour les plus rapides issus des séances d’essais libres et après une phase de changement puis 18 minutes pour le reste du peloton.

Les meilleurs de chaque classe en qualifications :

F1 Class:Ingo Gerstl (AUT), Team Top-Speed, Toro Rosso STR 1 F1
Open ClassAntonio Pizzonia (BRA), HS-Engineering, Dallara WS V8 T12 4,5
Formula Class:Simone Colombo (ITA), MM International Motorsport, Dallara GP2
Super Lights Class:Stephan Glaser (SUI), Jo Zeller Racing, Dallara WS V6 T08


Dominants cette année dans la catégorie BOSS GP Super Lights : Stephan Glaser (SUI), Jo Zeller Racing, Dallara WS V6 T8.

En raison des retards liés au brouillard, PNK, en tant qu’organisateur, a dû considérablement resserrer le calendrier en concertation avec la direction de course et l’organisation de BOSS GP. Tous les organisateurs de la série étaient très déterminés à contribuer à la réalisation de toutes les courses prévues. Pour la Course 1 du BOSS GP, qui a débuté avec près d’une heure de retard, la durée de la course a dû être raccourcie de deux minutes.

Résultats de classe BOSS GP Course 1:

La course 2 de dimanche s’est déroulée comme initialement prévu. Dans le tour de formation, les deux pilotes de Formule 1 avec Ingo Gerstl et Ulf Ehninger (GER), ESBA Racing, Benetton B197 F1 sont en tête. Derrière la deuxième voiture de tête se trouve le reste du peloton, mené par Antonip Pizzonia et suivi par une armada de pilotes GP2 Formula Class. Étant donné que certaines décisions préliminaires pouvaient être prises dans les classes individuelles en ce qui concerne la victoire globale, il fallait s’attendre à des duels passionnants et à des combats intéressants pour les classements individuels dans les points. Et c’est comme ça que ça s’est passé. Les positions ont changé au fil des tours.


Avec deux victoires au Mugello, Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International Motorsport, Dallara GP2, photo de face), se rapproche de plus en plus au classement par points de l’ancien leader de la BOSS GP Formula Class, Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio, Dallara GP2). La décision concernant la victoire au classement général dans cette catégorie sera probablement prise lors du week-end de Misano, début novembre.

Résultats de classe BOSS GP Course 2:

Comme la classe F1 du BOSS GP ne participera pas à la finale à Misano début novembre, Ulf Ehninger est pour la deuxième fois vainqueur au classement général de la classe F1. De même Antonio Pizzonia dans la classe Open du BOSS GP. Il n’y a pas de décision de titre dans les deux classes restantes du BOSS GP. La victoire au classement général et le classement derrière sont encore ouverts. Une finale passionnante du BOSS GP peut être attendue à Misano du 1er au 3 novembre.


Vainqueur général de la classe BOSS GP F1 pour la 2ème fois après 2022 : Ulf Ehninger (GER), ESBA Racing, Benetton B197 F1.


A pu réitérer sa victoire au classement général BOSS GP dans la classe Open de l’année dernière : ancien pilote de Formule 1 Antonio Pizzonia (BRA), HS-Engineering, Dallara World Series V8 T12 4.5.

Classements BOSS GP Racing Series – toutes classes
Gallerie PNK Racing Weekend Mugello

Report: Black/SMW MEDIA
Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Local Heroes: Max Cuccarese

Rising star Massimiliano Cuccarese (high school student from Pignola in South Italy) made a fantastic debut in BOSS GP last time at Assen. Before his home race in Mugello the MM International driver explained why the BOSS GP Racing Series has captivated him.

When did your adventure with motorsport begin? 

MAX CUCCARESE: “I became passionate about motorsport after watching MotoGP races on TV, but when I got older I rather preferred cars, especially single-seaters.”

Assen in August 2024: Max Cuccarese’s debut in a GP2 car

Tell us about your path from karting to BOSS GP

CUCCARESE: “I started in 2020 (when he was 13 years old, note) with karts in the IAME X30 junior category in the Campania regional championship. Due to the COVID pandemic participating in races was only possible one year later (i.e. in 2021). I finished the championship in 3rd place, unfortunately after missing a race for family reasons. In 2021 I took part in my first Italian Championship and WSK Euro Series in Sarno in the OK Senior category. The following year I switched to single seaters and did some tests with Formula 4 on Italian circuits. In 2023 I moved to Formula 3 and did a couple of tests with the Dallara F317. At the beginning of 2024 I did a test with the Dallara F320 before moving on to the fantastic GP2 of the MM International Motorsport team last June.”

Can you describe your emotions during your first race weekend in a super-fast single-seater last time with BOSS GP in Assen? 

CUCCARESE: “It’s been a while since my last race and without knowing the track, I didn’t know what to expect, also because it was my first race in this car. But as soon as I got on the track during Free Practice I immediately got an excellent feeling and I realized that with the hard work of the all team members we had the speed to get on the podium in both races.  As soon as I crossed the finish line of race 1 in place 2 I was really emotional and felt very happy for myself and the whole team.”

First race, first podium: Max (le.) finished second in Assen behind Simone Colombo (centre) and ahead of Marco Ghiotto (ri.)

How do you like the environment in BOSS GP? 

CUCCARESE: “It’s a really pleasant environment, there is great respect between all the drivers and teams on and off the track. The fans are amazing, with a unique passion and support. I would also like to thank my team MM International Motorsport for the trust they have placed in me and for the work they do with real passion.”

What goal do you have? What are you aiming for in motorsports? 

CUCCARESE: “My future goal is to race the fastest single seaters such as the F2 World Championship, Super Formula, IndyCar and maybe even F1.”

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Review: Assen 2024

95,000 fans saw the City Showrun on Thursday as an appetiser in the centre of Assen and another three days of great racing on the TT Circuit. The championship remains wide open after round 4 in the Netherlands.

In addition to Formula 1 star David Coulthard, BOSS GP driver Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Team Top Speed) attracted a lot of attention when he accelerated his Toro Rosso STR1 next to the canal and then skilfully performed a few pirouettes. Gerstl’s team-mate Erich Zech attracted similar attention when he drove his roaring 1997 Ferrari Formula 1 around the 4.555-kilometre track during the demo runs.

The City Show Run in the centre of Assen was a blast

F1

It was also Gerstl who won both races in the F1 class and set the lap record on the legendary MotoGP circuit with a lap time of 1:16.791 in qualifying. Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) finished second twice, which was enough to keep him at the top of the standings. The Benetton driver goes into the race in Mugello with a 44-point lead, which is also the last chance for the Formula 1 cars to score points this year. Due to the track licence, only the OPEN, FORMULA and SUPER LIGHTS classes are eligible to start at the grand finale in Misano.

Ulf Ehninger celebrates 2nd place twice in BOSS GP’s F1 category

FORMULA

After Juju Noda (MM International) not only secured her first pole position at the Red Bull Ring, but also won a BOSS GP race for the first time, the 17-year-old Japanese driver followed this up with another pole position in Assen. However, Noda found herself behind her team-mate on the way to turn 1. It was then a close call with Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), who squeezed past Noda on the inside of turn 1. While Noda lost places at the start, Michael Fischer (AUT, Red Rosa Racing by LRT) made up positions at the back of the field. After a technical failure in qualifying, he made up 13 places in the race compared to the starting grid and ultimately finished fourth in the FORMULA classification.

Simone Colombo wins race 1

While Colombo controlled the pace at the front and took his fifth win of the season, newcomer Max Cuccarese (ITA, MM International) surprised everyone with a confident drive and second place in his very first race in a GP2 car. The youngest driver in the field confirmed this performance on Sunday with another podium finish (3rd). Marco Ghiotto scored the same number of points as Cuccarese with 3rd and 2nd place.

Two BOSS GP youngsters: race winner Juju Noda (18 years) with Max Cuccarese (17 yrs.)

Noda made a much better start in the second race, enabling her to defend her lead over Colombo. As the two MM drivers in their GP2 Dallara looked set for another duel this season, Colombo retired. As this happened in the first half of the race, the defending champion was only awarded half points instead of full points. The third retirement of the season was another setback for the fast Italian in the battle for the championship title. Marco Ghiotto remains in the lead. The 2019-2021 champion is scoring points with consistency and is now 22 points ahead of his compatriot Colombo.

Marco Ghiotto drives by the fans in the grandstand

Martin Kindler (SUI) also left Assen with a smile on his face. The Swiss returnee to the series not only qualified for Q1 (top five in free practice), but also delivered two strong results with 6th and 5th place. Andreas Fiedler (GER) was able to put the problems of the last races behind him and scored twice with 7th and 6th places, while Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) was able to regain his old form in the races after a mixed training session and finished 8th twice in the fiercely contested FORMULA class. After an accident in the first race, Phil Stratford’s (Scuderia Palladio) team was able to repair the car for the second race and the American finished the second race in 7th place.

Stephan Glaser is the front-runner in this year’s SUPER LIGHTS championship

SUPER LIGHTS

Stephan Glaser (SUI, Jo Zeller Racing) was once again unbeatable for his rivals. With wins number 5 and 6 this season, the BOSS GP rookie extended his lead in the championship to 34 points. While race 1 in this class was a smooth affair, race 2 was particularly remarkable. Firstly, Glaser parked his car at the side of the track on the last lap. Second-placed Stefan Scho (GER) was unable to capitalise on this, however, as he also stopped with technical problems on the final lap. Henry Clausnitzer (GER, WF Racing) was already two laps down after going off track into the gravel on lap 1 and was also unable to capitalise on this. This meant that the order on the podium on Saturday and Sunday was Glaser ahead of Scho and Clausnitzer. In addition to Stephan Glaser and Henry Clausnitzer, a third driver, Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (AUT, Red Rose Racing), is still in contention for the championship title despite a challenging weekend for him.

Podium ceremony in the SUPER LIGHTS category: from left Scho, Glaser and Clausnitzer with the Jack’s Racing Day grid girls

Races 9 and 10 of the season will take place on 12 and 13 October 2024 in Mugello. All four classes of the BOSS GP Racing Series can be seen and heard for the last time all together this season as part of the PNK Racing Weekend.

Pictures: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Additional tyre compound available

From the next race in Assen (2–4 August 2024), BOSS GP and tyre supplier Pirelli will bring back a medium dry tyre in addition to the soft compound.

In addition to the mandatory soft compound, which can be recognised by its red colour like in Formula 1, BOSS GP will supply teams and drivers with a medium compound (yellow) at all the upcoming events of the 2024 championship season. This includes the races in Assen, Mugello and Misano later this year.

This option for the P-Zero dry tyres expands the teams’ strategic options on race weekends. The medium tyres should work better at higher temperatures in particular and also have a longer durability thanks to their harder rubber compound.

All drivers registered for the races will receive a new order form shortly and can now submit their orders to BOSS GP tyre service Reifen Hollerweger.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Local heroes: Stefan Eisinger-Sewald

With a 1991 Formula 3000 in vintage colours and still with a genuine manual gearbox, the Austrian from Vienna has become a crowd favourite in the BOSS GP Racing Series.

Why does it have to be a historic racing car and not a modern one?

STEFAN EISINGER-SEWALD: « I’ve been dealing with historic cars for more than ten years now. To me, the value of a historic vehicle is much higher than that of a modern one. I just like the old stuff – it’s still real racing! »

So you still drive an H-pattern gearbox?

EISINGER-SEWALD: « Exactly, I still drive a very old, ’empty’ H-gear. Technically, of course, there are already much better things. We have also tried to convert it, but it doesn’t work. So for the moment, we’re running it as it was designed in ’91. »

His race car: Ralt RT23 Formula 3000

Your car bears the famous colours of a cigarette manufacturer – what is your relationship to this design?

EISINGER-SEWALD: « As a small child, I always liked the colours on the Williams. Now I’ve kept it, because we also had it on the Pedrazza prototypes before. The whole teamwear is based on this design and, as I’m a thrifty person, I didn’t want to design something new (laughs). »

Where does your technical expertise come from?

EISINGER-SEWALD: « I learnt it from my motocross days in my youth. You quickly learn what you’re interested in. Today, Walter Vorreiter and the Fischer Motorsport team from Mödling support me. »

The Red Rose Racing Team around Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (f. right)

What is your favourite track?

EISINGER-SEWALD: « Spa, actually. Spa was my most successful race in my Formula Ford 1600 days. We competed there with a small delegation from the Histo Cup. I finished fourth out of 44 cars – that was my biggest success in the four-wheel sector apart from the 2022 championship title in the Histo Cup Austria. »

What can you learn from racing for your professional life or vice versa?

EISINGER-SEWALD: « Ambition and never giving up! Our company specialises in doing projects where others have said: ‘That’s not possible’. That makes it even more exciting for me to look at it in detail. »

As a child, you were a fan of …

EISINGER-SEWALD: « … always Ayrton Senna. The way he approached things and his daredevil attitude impressed me. Similar to a James Hunt, who could go out and have fun the day before and still be invincible the next day! »

Stefan Eisinger-Sewald came 2nd in last year’s SUPER LIGHTS standings

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

BOSS GP continues partnership with Pirelli

Pirelli will remain the exclusive tyre supplier of the BOSS GP in 2024.

The Italian tyre manufacturer offers a unique product for the participants of the BOSS GP: Formula 1 technology combined with easier handling when warming up the tyres. Together with the Hollerweger tyre service, this partnership guarantees a reliable supply of the « black gold » throughout the season.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP