After two years, the BOSS GP Racing Series finally returns to the Parco di Monza, one of the most prestigious racing venues in the world.

Where just a few weeks ago thousands and thousands of Tifosi were able to experience Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen & Co., Formula 1 history will once again return this coming weekend (September 22 to 24, 2023). With the BOSS GP Racing Series, the fastest racing cars of the past 25 years are lined up to contest again in a race. The great interest in drivers for the sixth race weekend of the season showed how popular the circuit is.

The 5.793-kilometer racetrack in the royal park of Monza is one of the most impressive racing facilities in the world. As one of the last high-speed tracks, it is a unique challenge for racing drivers. A large part of the original layout has been adapted to modern safety standards and is still used today, but the steep concrete curves can only be visited on foot. Many drivers and fans also combine their visit with a trip to the centre of Milan, about half an hour away, or to nearby Lake Garda.

Entries

Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed), who is already confirmed as the old and new champion of the BOSS GP F1 Class, will enter the races in Monza as the logical favourite for victory. His STR1 with the V10 Cosworth engine is the fastest car on the grid for Monza.

In the OPEN class, where adapted monoposto cars will be on the grid, Paul O’ Connell is expected to make an appearance. This time, the popular Irish racer will be driving a second Dallara World Series with a 4.5-liter engine, prepared by HS Engineering, in an attempt to stand up to ex-Formula 1 driver Antonio Pizzonia (HS Engineering). The Brazilian has already been confirmed as champion of his class and will once again try to keep up with Gerstl’s Formula 1 car and offer the fans the best possible show.

This time, there is particularly great interest in the FORMULA class, where there are some newcomers: Juju Noda is one of them. The Japanese is the daughter of Hideki Noda, the former Formula 1 and IndyCar driver. On her way towards the top class, she uses the BOSS GP platform as an ideal training environment to familiarise herself with a big Formula racing car. To do so, the former W Series driver will climb into a 3.5-litre World Series of the Austrian team HS Engineering this weekend.

With Felix Grosse-Aschhoff and Michael Grosse-Aschhoff (both GER), two drivers from Asche Racing will join the grid in Monza. The international character of the BOSS GP Racing Series is also demonstrated by the entry of David Richert from Canada, who will compete for MM International from Italy. Richert has previously raced in the Formula Renault Eurocup and most recently competed in Formula 3. Now he is celebrating his debut in a GP2 Dallara.

In the duel for the championship title, however, two other drivers are in the spotlight: Once again it is Scuderia Palladio driver Marco Ghiotto (champion 2019, 2020, 2021) and Simone Colombo (champion 2022) who are battling it out at their home race. Colombo (MM International) could clinch the title already this weekend.

Five other Italians will be competing in Monza, including Robert Vanni and Walter Colacino (both Colacino Racing) in a Formula 3000 in the SUPER LIGHTS category. With Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (AUT, Red Rose Racing) in an older Ralt-F3000 and Jody Stadelmann (SUI, Team Stadelmann) in the rare Formula Nippon-Mugen, there are also two returnees in this class.

Timetable

Friday, 22 September
09:00–09:25          Free Practice 1
13:59–14:24          Free Practice 2

Saturday, 23 September
11:20–11:50          Qualifying (separated in two groups)
17:40–18:00          Race 1 (20 minutes/F1 Class 15 minutes)

Sunday, 24 September
11:20–11:45 Race 2 (25 minutes/F1 Class 15 minutes)

all times CEST

Tickets

During the entire race weekend, entry to the racetrack is free of charge. Almost all grandstands are open. Parking costs 15 euros per car and 5 euros per motorbike on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

More to watch

The BOSS GP Racing Series is the highlight of a packed motorsport programme at Monza. In addition to the GT3 cars of the International GT Open, the GT Cup, the Euroformula Open, the TCR Europe and the Porsche Carrera Cup France will be all racing this race weekend in Monza.

Photos: Robert Lösch, Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP, WF Racing

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