Étiquette : Mugello

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

Report: Race 2 Mugello

The last winner’s trophies of the 2023 season go to Antonio Pizzonia, Simone Colombo and Walter Colacino.

In perfect weather, the drivers of the BOSS GP Racing Series were challenged once again on Sunday lunchtime: The longer 25-minute race had to be contested and at numerous positions drivers fought for a better result.

Not impressed by this, Antonio Pizzonia (BRA) took another overall victory today. The driver of the Austrian team HS Engineering also took first place in the final race of the OPEN class this season. With a time of 1:31.120 min, Pizzonia topped his best lap time from yesterday. This means that Pizzonia has now managed to set a new lap record in his World Series 4.5, as only Formula 1 cars have ever been faster on this track. The previous record holder was Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA), OPEN champion in 2022, also in this car.

Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) was the one who left his mark on the 14th race of the season in the FORMULA class. After Pizzonia had lost ground due to degrading tyres, Colombo had even taken the lead for a moment. Behind him, Marc Faggionato (MCO, MM International) built up pressure in the early stages, with Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) hot on his heels. Sometimes on the edge of track limits, the top drivers in the FORMULA class gave each other nothing in the final race of the season. On lap 11 of 16, Ghiotto overtook the Faggionato in front of him. But the gap to Colombo had already grown to several seconds. So once again it was Colombo who was allowed to open the champagne first. Ghiotto took second place, Faggionato came third.

Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International) finished behind, Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) was in fifth place. In a nice triell, the two Zig Zag drivers Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA) and Nicolas Matile (MCO) as well as the Scuderia Palladio supported Bruno Jarach (ITA, Eesti Motorsport) met. For almost 15 laps the group were together, finally Jarach beat the two Auto GP cars to the chequered flag. In SUPER LIGHTS, Walter Colacino (ITA, Walter Colacino Racing) took home another victory.

After seven events in France, Germany, Austria, Italy and the Netherlands, the champions for the 2023 season are Ingo Gerstl (BOSS GP F1 Class), Antonio Pizzonia (OPEN), Simone Colombo (FORMULA) and Henry Clausnitzer (SUPER LIGHTS). They will be honoured at the end-of-year party at the end of November in the city of Salzburg.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report: Race 1 Mugello

Simone Colombo continues his hot streak with his tenth win of the season. Colacino and Pizzonia win their classes.

After securing the championship title last time out in Monza, Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) is not slowing down in the first Mugello race. The now two-time BOSS GP Champion managed to keep Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) at distance once again. The Italian battle in the FORMULA class continued in Mugello, although this time it was much less tense between the two GP2 drivers. By the way, Ghiotto finished in the top-3 for the tenth time this season.

In the battle for third place, Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) had already built up a small lead over the drivers behind him before a safety car interruption reunited the pack. Fiedler defended hard but always fair against Marc Faggionato (MCO, MM International) before the Monegasque was able to overtake Fiedler in the third sector. A small driving mistake a little later also allowed Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International) to pass the German. Faggionato was annoyed despite third place, because not for the first time this year a bad start robbed the fast all-rounder of his chance to fight for victory.

Sixth place went to Nicolas Matile (MCO) of the French team Zig-Zag. Bruno Jarach (ITA, Eesti Motorsport) took 7th place ahead of Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA, Zig-Zag), who crossed the finish line only just behind. Roland Rupprechter (AUT, Rupprechter Motorsport) was delighted with another finish.

Antonio Pizzonia (BRA, HS Engineering) was on the best way to overall victory, but on lap 5 the former Formula 1 driver stopped in turn 3 because the shifting of the World Series Dallara did not work correctly anymore. Walter Colacino (ITA, Walter Colacino Racing) took the full points in the SUPER LIGHTS classification and climbed onto the podium as well. The last chance to take a trophy this season is tomorrow, Sunday: the longer, 25-minute race starts at 11:00 a.m. CEST.

Photo: Angelo Poletto

Report: Qualifying Mugello

Antonio Pizzonia leading the way, exciting races expected in FORMULA and Walter Colacino best SUPER LIGHTS driver in Qualifying.

In the finest late summer weather, the 5.245-kilometre track at Mugello presented its most beautiful side to the BOSS GP drivers. In qualifying, which determines the starting grid for both races, Antonio Pizzonia (BRA, HS Engineering) set the fastest time in the OPEN classification for the seventh time this season. This time, the ex-Formula 1 driver from Williams and Jaguar will lead the full field to the start, as he did in Misano earlier this year.

In the FORMULA class, a three-way battle for the top spot is expected after practice and qualifying: Simone Colombo (ITA), Marc Faggionato (MCO, both MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) were separated by just a few tenths of a second on their fastest lap – they will probably fight it out between themselves for victory.

Following them was another MM International driver, Salvatore de Plano (ITA) starts from third row. The two Auto GP cars from Zig-Zag will start from row 3 and 4: Nicolas Matile (MCO) was faster than team-mate Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA). Best in the SUPER LIGHTS class this time around was Walter Colacino (ITA, Walter Colacino Racing) in his Formula 3000.

Roland Rupprechter (AUT, Rupprechter Motorsport) and Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) both came to an early end to their practice sessions after a spin. However, both will be able to take part in the races. The start of the first race is today, Saturday, at 14:10 CEST, the second race starts tomorrow, Sunday, at 11:00 CEST.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Preview: Grande Finale Mugello

One more time this year, the engines of the BOSS GP Racing Series will be fired up: The grand finale of the 2023 season will take place in Tuscany.

For rounds 13 and 14 of the season, the teams and drivers will travel to one of the most beautiful racetracks on the continent. The 5.245-kilometer track at Mugello (built in 1974) will be the the venue for the finale of a great 2023 season that will be remembered for, among other things, new spectator records.

The Mugello Circuit is owned by Ferrari and traditionally hosts the MotoGP. In 2020, the track in Tuscany also was the venue for a Formula 1 race. The sequences of corners are mostly fluid and fast, the topography hilly. This makes the track, which was built in 1974, a favourite of many drivers. In addition, temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius are forecast for the coming weekend.

Entries

With no F1 cars in the entry list, Antonio Pizzonia (HS Engineering) goes into the finale as the favourite for overall victory. For the Brazilian, however, it is once again a good opportunity to attack the lap record of a non-F1. Should he see the checkered flag in both races yet again, he could finish the season without a retirement and with a 100 percent win rate in the OPEN class.

In the most competitive class FORMULA, where Formula 2 and World Series cars meet, MM Motorsport brings the most promising line-up to the start line: With Simone Colombo (ITA), Marc Faggionato (MCO) and Salvatore de Plano (ITA) three former race winners have entered the event. They will take on Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) who wants to make the most of his last chance for a win this season. Another Italian, Bruno Jarach, will start in Ghiotto’s team.

Nicolas Matile (MCO) and Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA) will compete for the French Zig-Zag Motorsport team. Both will be driving one of the spectacular Auto GP cars. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) is now fully back after a few absences this season and has a good chance of jumping up a few places in the overall standings.

And in the SUPER LIGHTS? Walter Colacino (ITA, Colacino Racing) is also coming to Tuscany with his Formula 3000. He shares the Lola, built in 1996, with his colleague Roberto Vanni (ITA).

Timetable

Friday, 6 October
11:30–12:00          Free Practice 1
16:00–16:30          Free Practice 2

Saturday, 7 October
10:00–10:30          Qualifying (separated in two groups)
14:10–14:30          Race 1 (20 minutes)

Sunday, 8 October
11:00–11:25 Race 2 (25 minutes)

all times CEST

Tickets

On Friday, admission is free. 5 Euros is the price of admission to the grounds on Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the paddock and the main grandstand is 15 Euros. For women, 14 to 17-year-olds and ACI members there is a reduced price of 10 Euros. Free admission is granted to residents of the nearby municipality of Scarperia e San Piero and children up to 14 years of age.

Support program

Other racing series in the program of the PNK Racing Weekend in Mugello are the F2000 Trophy with the Drexler Formel Cup (Formula 3, Formula Renault 2.0, etc.), the Lurani Trophy for Formula Junior cars, the Sports Car Challenge and Master Tricolore Prototipi, as well as GT and touring car races with modern and historic bolides.

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Register now for the Grande Finale

BOSS GP extends the summer with the grand finale of the championship season at Mugello from October 6-8, 2023.

For some competitors, a better ranking in the championship is still at stake, while others want to end the season with a strong sense of achievement. The ideal opportunity to do so and take a ride in their Big Open Single Seater is already in two weeks in Tuscany. The Formula 1 and MotoGP circuit at Mugello will be the venue for two free practice sessions on Friday, qualifying and race 1 on Saturday and a second race on Sunday. This means that a total of over two hours of track time will be available for the BOSS GP Racing Series as part of the PNK Motorsport Racing Weekend.

Anyone wishing to take part in the seventh and final event of the championship season can still register: Registration is open up to and including September 25, 2023. Interested teams and drivers can find all the necessary documents on the website under For Teams.

Photo: Angelo Poletto

Report: Race 2 Mugello

Ingo Gerstl secures the championship title. Thriller for victory in the BOSS GP FORMULA class postpones decision to the Pirelli Grande Finale in Misano.

The third last race of the 2022 season at the « Forza Fanatec » had it all for fans and drivers alike. But first, the teams and riders had to wait, because the fog on Sunday morning postponed the programme by about an hour. However, this did not change the race distance of 25 minutes.

BOSS GP F1 Class

Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) started the race from grid position 2. He overtook his team-mate Ingo Gerstl (AUT) in the two-year older Toro Rosso STR 1 right at the start, but a safety car phase made it impossible for Gerstl to pass his protégé Thomas Jackermeier. Jackermeier fulfilled a birthday wish with his third victory after the « double » in Brno and won for the first time on Italian soil with the Italian car. Gerstl’s second place was enough to secure his eighth BOSS GP title, the seventh in the highest class. Gerstl thus draws level with his long-time great rival Klaas Zwart (NLD) in the all-time BOSS GP leaderboard.

BOSS GP OPEN Class

Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA, HS Engineering) was able to take another winner’s trophy for himself and his Austrian team on the podium at Mugello after another faultless performance.

BOSS GP FORMULA Class

Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) wanted to fix the championship deal after winning yesterday’s race. But in a tussle at the start with rival Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), it was Colombo who lost out. He got stuck in the gravel, while Ghiotto and Francesco Malavasi (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) were able to continue the race with loss of position. In the last ten minutes of the race, a four-way battle for the class win ignited. Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International), who was leading at first, got more and more pressure, among others from Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International). He overtook Martucci, who counterattacked several times. Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) and Marco Ghiotto joined him from behind and worked their way forward lap by lap. With three laps to go, De Plano took the lead, which he would not relinquish until the chequered flag. Behind him, Luca Martucci defended himself with the knives between his teeth. But it did not end as Martucci would have wished. Both Faggionato with the fastest race lap and Ghiotto were able to pass Martucci on the last lap. With third place behind De Plano and Faggionato, Ghiotto keeps the title fight open in the FORMULA standings, 38 points separate him and Colombo before the last two races in Misano. 50 points are still up for grabs.

BOSS GP SUPER LIGHTS Class

Walter Colacino (ITA, Colacino Motorsport) could hardly believe it. Unlike his opponents in the six-cylinder car class, Colacino was able to complete a race distance in his aged Formula 3000 with Alfa Romeo engine. Colacino thus scored the full 25 points. Alexander Geier (AUT, Geier Racing) was at least able to complete some race laps today (Sunday) after yesterday’s technical problems and finished second ahead of the new champion Andreas Hasler (AUT, Hasler Motorsport).

The BOSS GP Racing Series continues its European tour in three weeks. The final decisions of this season will be made at the Pirelli Grande Finale in Misano from 4 to 6 November 2022.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report: Race 1 Mugello

Andreas Hasler takes the title in the BOSS GP SUPER LIGHTS. Wins for Gerstl (F1) and Schlegelmilch (OPEN) as well as a crucial victory for Simone Colombo in the FORMULA classification.

The Pirelli Cinturato rain tyres stayed in the garages this time. The ninth of twelve races of the season in Tuscany took place under partly cloudy skies and in the best climatic conditions. 20 minutes had to be completed as usual in Saturday’s race at the « Forza Fanatec » in Mugello. The group of Formula 1 cars was started in the proven manner with a gap to the other three classes.

BOSS GP F1 Class

Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) controlled the first race of the weekend from pole position. In the 2006 Toro Rosso STR 1 the 7-time BOSS GP champion set the pace, only Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) was able to keep up at times on his F1 debut at the Mugello circuit. Jackermeier held his own against the fastest driver from the OPEN classification, Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA, HS Engineering), who hung on to the rear of the Toro Rosso STR 3 after an early restart. Jackermeier scored 22 points for second place, which now puts him equal with Ulf Ehninger in second place in the standings behind Gerstl.

BOSS GP OPEN Class

Harald Schlegelmilch brought the improved World Series car home first again and without any technical problems. His team, HS Engineering, celebrated the seventh victory of the season at the seventh event together with their pilot.

BOSS GP FORMULA Class

When it comes to the championship, Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) made a serious mistake on the first lap. The reigning champion spun off the track with cold tyres on lap 1 and had to retire from the race early. This left the way clear for Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International), who controlled the race at the front. However, the gap at the finish to the next driver was not even one second. Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International) made it onto the podium for the first time in his third start this year. With 1:37.701 De Plano also drove the fastest lap in his class. Francesco Malavasi (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) was no match for him. However, his 3rd place was his third top-3 result in a row. With three Italians at the front, the « Fratelli d’Italia » (Italian national anthem) was rightly played. Colombo heads into tomorrow’s race with a 58-point lead over Ghiotto. If he maintains a lead of 50 points, Colombo could be celebrated as Ghiotto’s successor on Sunday.

In midfield Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) fought his way through the pack as expected after his bad qualifying. Similar to Alexander Seibold (GER, Seibold Auto + Sport), he managed some impressive overtaking manoeuvres. After a suspension change, Seibold was able to move up to 5th place behind Faggionato by setting quick lap times. Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering) in the only World Series 3.5 V8 kept ahead of the two GP2 cars for a long time, in the end he finished 6th ahead of Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) and Bruno Jarach (ITA, Eesti Motorsport). Unlucky was Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International), who started the race late with electronics problems and finished the race one lap down.

BOSS GP SUPER LIGHTS Class

While Harald Schlegelmilch had already secured the title in the OPEN class after the race weekend in Brno, it was now Andreas Hasler’s (AUT, Hasler Motorsport) turn in the SUPER LIGHTS. The former hillclimb racer won his class for the fourth time this year. Because Alexander Geier (AUT, Geier Racing) could not fix the gearbox problems from qualifying for the race either, Hasler’s most important opponent remained without points this time. This means that Hasler can no longer be ousted from the top spot before the last three races of the season. Second place in Mugello went to Walter Colacino (ITA, Colacino Motorsport) in the 1998 Formula 3000.

The tenth race of the season will take place tomorrow, Sunday, at 13:15 local time. Before that, there will be a ten-minute warm-up of the BOSS GP Racing Series at 10:00 am. Tickets are still available at the box office.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report: Qualifying Mugello

Pole position for Ingo Gerstl at the « Forza Fanatec » in Mugello. Ghiotto holds his own against FORMULA leader Colombo and Andreas Hasler is fastest in the SUPER LIGHTS.

Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) confirmed his role as favourite with the best time in qualifying. With a lap time of 1:26.747, the driver of a Toro Rosso STR1 secured pole position for the two race rounds in Mugello. Gerstl will be followed at the start by OPEN driver Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA, HS Engineering) in the World Series car with 4.5 litres capacity (instead of 3.5). Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) will start from row 2. Jackermeier is competing for the first time in a Formula 1 car at Mugello and is doing excellently so far. Will he be able to step up a gear in the race and follow Gerstl?

Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) secured the best starting position in the highly competitive FORMULA classification. The two-time BOSS GP champion started in qualifying section 2 after a cautious Friday practice run and it took him a few laps to get past team-mate Francesco Malavasi (ITA) on the timings and then championship leader Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International). With a fantastic time of 1:35.035, Ghiotto qualified almost nine tenths of a second ahead of Colombo, who lost time especially in the first sector. Filling the starting row behind are BOSS GP rookie Francesco Malavasi and Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International), who is a candidate for the podium with a good qualifying performance on one of his favourite tracks. Team-mate Salvatore de Plano (ITA) follows behind.

With Joey Foster (GBR, HS Engineering) withdrawing from the event, the only World Series by Renault 3.5-litre pilot Paul O’Connell qualified sixth in class. Best from the Zig-Zag squad was Nicolas Matile (MCO) in the Auto GP Lola in eighth in class, just ahead of teammate Jean Christophe Peyre (FRA). Team leader Marc Faggionato (MCO) was unable to take part in practice after spinning and will therefore have a race to catch up.

In the SUPER LIGHTS category, rookie Alexander Geier (AUT, Geier Racing) only familiarised himself with the track today after still being in school yesterday. Geier’s Tatuus World Series V6, however, remained in the pits with gearbox problems, so Andreas Hasler (AUT, Hasler Motorsport) will start the races as the best-placed SUPER LIGHTS competitor. Walter Colacino (ITA, Colacino Motorsport) qualified his Formula 3000 in 15th place overall.

The first race starts today, Saturday, at 15:05 local time and is over a distance of 20 minutes, the second race over 25 minutes is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, at 13:15. In order to keep the workload on the Formula 1 cars low, the BOSS GP F1 Class will see the chequered flag after 15 minutes.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Preview: Forza Fanatec Mugello

The Italian « double » to close the 2022 BOSS GP season starts next weekend with two races in Tuscany.

Before the 28th season of Europe’s fastest racing series enters its finale in Misano (4-6 November), it is time for Mugello, one of the favourite tracks of many drivers. While last year’s championship started at Mugello, this year’s Forza Fanatec at Mugello is already entering the crucial stage. In the BOSS GP FORMULA Class, six drivers (all of them in GP2 cars) still have a mathematical chance of becoming the champion.

Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International), who made his BOSS GP debut at Mugello in 2021, has the best chance of winning the title at the moment. He leads by 33 points over defending champion Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scurderia Palladio) and the Portuguese Zdenek Chovenec-Lopez (MM International). As in Brno, however, Chovanec-Lopez will not be competing. Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International), Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) and Giancarlo Pedetti (ITA, Nannini Racing) still have outside chances. Francesco Malavasi (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), who has only been participating in the championship since Le Castellet in the summer, was on the podium twice in Brno and should also be considered for a possible podium in Mugello. With Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) and Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International), two former race winners return to the grid, which this time also includes a former professional racing driver: Joey Foster (GBR, HS Engineering) will give his comeback in monoposto racing. A total of 17 drivers have entered for the FORMULA classification, including the French team from Zig-Zag and two Lola AutoGP cars.

Two drivers from Team Top Speed, Ingo Gerstl (AUT) and Thomas Jackermeier (GER), will be competing in the BOSS GP F1 Class. They continue their Toro Rosso duel between Gerstl’s STR1 and Jackermeier’s STR3. Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA, HS Engineering) from the OPEN class will again try to chase the Formula 1 cars in his modified World Series bolide. In the six-cylinder car class, Andreas Hasler (AUT, Hasler Motorsport) will try to keep his increasingly fast pursuer in the overall SUPER LIGHTS standings, Alexander Geier (AUT, Geier Racing), at bay. All the best ingredients for an exciting race weekend in Mugello.

Entry List:

NumberNameNationTeamClassManufacturerYearModelEngine
1Ingo GerstlAUTTeam Top SpeedF1Toro Rosso2006F1 – STR1Cosworth TJ
15Thomas JackermeierGERTeam Top SpeedF1Toro Rosso2008F1 – STR3Ferrari 056
10Haralds Slegelmilhs LVAHS EngineeringOPENDallara2012WSbR – T12Gibson 4.5
12Joey FosterGBRHS EngineeringFORMULADallara2012WSbR – T12Gibson
19Nicolas MatileMCOZig-ZagFORMULALola2005AutoGPZytek
22Michael AbererAUTAM MotorsportFORMULADallara2005GP2Mecachrome
27Marco GhiottoITAScuderia PalladioFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
28Bruno JarachITAEesti MotorsportFORMULADallara2008GP2Mecachrome
29Marc FaggionatoMCOZig-ZagFORMULADallara2008GP2Mecachrome
31Paul O’ConnellIREHS EngineeringFORMULADallara2012WSbR – T12Gibson
32Simone ColomboITAMM InternationalFORMULADallara2017F2Mecachrome
37Luca MartucciITAMM InternationalFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
43Giancarlo PedettiITANannini RacingFORMULADallara2014GP2Mecachrome
44Thomas JakoubekAUTTeam Top SpeedFORMULADallara2008GP2Mecachrome
46Alexander SeiboldGERSeibold Auto + SportFORMULADallara2005GP2Mecachrome
47Walter StedingGERScuderia PalladioFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
61Jean-Christophe PeyreFRAZig-ZagFORMULALola2005AutoGPZytek
66Andreas FiedlerGERFiedler RacingFORMULADallara2008GP2Mecachrome
77Francesco MalavasiITAScuderia PalladioFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
87Salvatore de PlanoITAMM InternationalFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
34Roberto VanniITAWalter Colacino RacingSUPER LIGHTSLola1998F3000Alfa Romeo
36Walter ColacinoITAWalter Colacino RacingSUPER LIGHTSLola1998F3000Alfa Romeo
111Alexander GeierAUTGeier RacingSUPER LIGHTSTatuus2003WSbRNissan
115Andreas HaslerAUTHasler MotorsportSUPER LIGHTSDallara2009WSbNNissan

Track:

The 5.245-kilometre Mugello circuit (built in 1974) is owned by Ferrari and traditionally hosts the MotoGP. Two years ago, the track in Tuscany also hosted a Formula 1 race (winner: Lewis Hamilton). The youngsters and gentlemen of the BOSS GP Racing Series can expect fluid and fast sequences of corners embedded in a hilly topography. Last year in partly wet conditions Marco Ghiotto took a double victory in the FORMULA class, in the OPEN classification Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) won race 1 in a Benetton, in race 2 Ingo Gerstl in a Toro Rosso.

Timetable (CEST):

Friday, 14 October 2022
11:10–11:40     Free Practice 1
14:05–14:35     Free Practice 2

Saturday, 15 October 2022
09:55–10:25     Qualifying
15:05–15:25     Race 1 (20 minutes)

Sonntag, 16 October 2022
10:00–10:10     Warm-up
13:15–13:40     Race 2 (25 minutes)

Support races:

The Italian promoter Gruppo Peroni is again gathering numerous racing series from different categories in Mugello this year. In addition to the BOSS GP Racing Series as the main series, the Italian Topjet F2000 Trophy (together with the Drexler Formula Cup from Austria) is another single-seater racing series at the event. The Master Tricolore Prototipi features sports prototypes, the Lotus (Cup Italia) and Renault (Clio RS Cup) one-make cups and the historic GT cars of the Campionato Italiano Autostoriche will complete the line-up. The programme starts on Friday from 8:45 am (without lunch break) with practice and qualifying sessions. On Saturday and Sunday, the programme will start with the races from 9 a.m. each day.

Tickets:

Admission to the standing areas is free, the pit roof and main stand cost 10 respectively 15 euros at the box office. Discounts are available for under-18s, women and ACI club members. Children under 14 can enter for free when accompanied by an adult, and the same applies to residents of the municipalities of Scarperia and San Piero (FI).

Live Stream:

The race programme on Saturday and Sunday will be partially broadcast on promoter Gruppo Peroni’s YouTube channel.

Photos: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP, PR & Event Keke Platzer (Poster)