Tag: Gerstl

Report Free Practice Spielberg

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Keke Platzer - General

The BOSS GP with pictures for the ages? Impressive show run with Formula 1 cars and IndyCars on Friday.

Usually, the Red Bull Ring is home to the Formula 1 World Championship and MotoGP, but this weekend the BOSS GP Racing Series is a guest in Styria. After the six-week break since the Season Opening in Mugello, the track time was used extensively on Austria’s most beautiful racetrack and enough kilometres were recorded – the weather also played along on this Friday. It stayed dry all day, so all the drivers were able to test their cars extensively. Especially for the first-time starters, every metre on the 4.3-kilometre track around the iconic bull counted. Among others, Anton Werner (GER, Ryschka) drove a Chip Ganassi IndyCar from the mid-2000s today.

At the start of the second practice session, there was a memorable moment in BOSS GP’s history: there was a phalanx of Big Open Single Seaters on track that had not been seen for a long time, with the two Benetton B197s, the Sauber C30, a Jaguar R3, two Toro Rosso STR1s, Vettel’s winning STR3 car and two Ryschka IndyCars. During this showrun, impressive footage of man and machine was captured by a camera team and will soon be shown on the BOSS GP social media channels.

In total 22 drivers set a time today. Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) dominated both practice sessions in his 2006 Toro Rosso. Riccardo Ponzio (ITA, Adriatica Competiton) in the Jaguar R3 was second fastest in the combined times from the first and second practice session. Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) was third fastest FORMULA driver today. Rounding up the top five were Simone Colombo and Luca Martucci (both ITA, MM International). These five have gained a bit of an advantage that way, they will have the track to themselves in Q1. Depending on the weather conditions, it will be decided tomorrow, Saturday, whether qualifying will start in two groups as usual or whether there will be a 30-minute session with all drivers. The chances of rain are increasing until tomorrow. In any case, there will be two races on Saturday (11:20 and 15:55).

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Preview Spielberg

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Keke Platzer - General

Swift comeback of BOSS GP in Spielberg: After two years, Europe’s fastest racing series returns to Austria for its home race with a special highlight.

Several thousand horsepower will meet on the Formula 1 racetrack at the Red Bull Ring next Friday and Saturday. In a flawless programme, 24 Big Open Single Seaters – Formula 1, IndyCar, GP2, World Series by Renault and Formula 3000 – will make a stop in Styria. Sebastian Vettel’s winning car from 2008, the Toro Rosso STR3, a Jaguar R3, two Benetton B197s (including Gerhard Berger’s), a Sauber C30 from 2011 and finally, once again, an IndyCar will be a feast for the eyes and ears. With Ingo Gerstl (STR1-F1, Top Speed), Bianca Steiner (GP2, Steiner Motorsport), Christian Ferstl (F2, Top Speed), Thomas Jakoubek (GP2, Top Speed) and Michael Aberer (GP2, MA Motorsport) there are also five local drivers on the starting grid.

The STM waterjet race on 20 and 21 May 2021 is a 2-day event– on Friday there will be two practice sessions, on Saturday a qualifying in addition to both races. A special highlight is a separate show run for Formula 1 and IndyCars on Friday afternoon. The Formula 1 racetrack in the Alps replaces the Jim Clark Revival at the Hockenheimring, which was cancelled in May. The Red Bull Ring was last on the race calendar of the BOSS GP Racing Series in 2019. The race winners back then: Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom Racing) and Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). Many drivers and fans are happy about the return of the Big Open Single Seater to the Austrian iconic circuit. At the same time, the STM waterjet race at the Red Bull Ring is also the home race of the championship sanctioned by the Austrian Motorsport Federation. Other series on the agenda include the Drexler Formula Cup and the Suzuki Swift Cup Europe in addition to the GT race cars from the P9 Challenge. Unfortunately, no spectators are allowed on site, but they can follow the event via the BOSS GP social media channels.

Timetable STM waterjet Race Red Bull Ring:

Friday, 21. May 2021
11:00–11:30 Free Practice 1
15:20–15:35 Show Laps OPEN class
15:35–16:00 Free Practice 2

Saturday, 22 May 2021
09:15–09:45 Qualification (8+20 minutes)
11:20–11:40 Race 1 (20 minutes)
15:55–16:20 Race 2 (25 minutes)

Photo: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Report Race 2 Mugello

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Keke Platzer - 5, General

Gerstl wins in the OPEN category, Ghiotto after recovering from an early spin in FORMULA class.

Another day, same question: dry or wet tyres? It had rained again and again at the Mugello Circuit during the day. But shortly before the start of the second race, parts of the track had dried up. Most of the drivers nevertheless relied on the Pirelli Cinturato rain tyres, even at the risk that they would not last the full 25-minute distance on an increasingly dry track. Exceptions were the two MM-International drivers Stefano Colombo and Luca Martucci (both ITA), who started the race on slicks. But with low outside temperatures of around ten degrees Celsius, they had a tough time in their GP2 Dallara single seaters.

Not so Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed), who immediately fled at the start. The pole setter entered turn 1 in his Toro Rosso STR1 first and did not relinquish his position at the top until the end of the race. Second in the OPEN classification was Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing), who, after his premiere victory yesterday, also finished on the podium today and, together with Gerstl, will travel to the next race as BOSS GP championship leader.

BOSS GP newcomer Gianluca De Lorenzi in his Auto GP car showed another strong performance

In FORMULA class, Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) won today as in race 1. The decisive move was made by the Italian just before the end of the race. Ghiotto had spun in lap 1 and then started a terrific chase that had its climax on the penultimate lap: Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) defended his lead hard, but always remained fair. The decisive manoeuvre came at the exit of the medium-fast turn 12, where Ghiotto poked into a gap on the inside lane and overtook Faggionato. Gianluca De Lorenzi (SMR, GDL Racing) finished third in the class behind the two, sticking to the rear of Faggionato for a long time but ultimately having to let Ghiotto go as well.

Fourth place went to Salvatore De Plano (ITA, MM International), who made amends today after an early retirement yesterday. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) changed to rain tyres shortly before the start, which helped him to move up to 5th in class. Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) achieved another convincing result at his first BOSS GP event with 6th position. Behind him came Walter Colacino (ITA) in the Formula 3000 with an Alfa Romeo sports car engine, who was able to drive the full 25 minutes of the race today without any troubles.

The overall standings after the first of six race weekends are available here.

Photos: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Report Qualifying Mugello

Posted on April 10, 2021 by Keke Platzer - General

A thrilling duel for pole position between Faggionato and De Lorenzi.

It had rained on Saturday morning, so qualifying was not divided into two groups as usual, rather it was open to everyone straight away. This ensured fair conditions for everyone as the track dried up. In wet conditions at the Mugello Circuit, the Pirelli Cinturato rain tyres were clearly the first choice.

First on track was Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International), who was surprisingly the fastest FORMULA driver on his BOSS GP debut yesterday. In the rain he started gently at first but improved steadily and confirmed his Friday performance with class position 4.

Gianluca De Lorenzi (SMR, GDL Racing) needed even less time to get used to the Zytek-fired Auto GP Lola in these tricky conditions. The Nürburgring specialist is back in a monoposto after a long break and right in the middle of the class usually dominated by GP2 cars. At the beginning of the practice session, he even matched Formula 1 driver Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in the Toro Rosso STR1, who, however, was able to set the clearly best time with 1:52.969 in increasingly better conditions during the course of the timed practice.

In the time sheets behind them, Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) and De Lorenzi were involved in a thriller that lasted until the chequered flag waved. De Lorenzi bumped the Monegasque out of the lead with a 1:57.978 on his very last flying lap. Faggionato however, was still on a fast lap and used it for the counterattack: 1:57.368! Faggionato thus secured pole position – his second – in the FORMULA class.

Next to De Lorenzi is reigning FORMULA champion Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) on row 2, with Colombo and Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International) starting behind. Luca Martucci first tried the rain line for a long time, but a spin stopped him from improving his time later in the session. In the end, the race winner of last year came in sixth in his class.

The German Ulf Ehninger (ESBA Racing) is getting more and more used to his hot equipment. Things also went well for the Benetton driver in the wet: he starts the race from grid position 8. On row 5: Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag) and Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed), who delivered a strong performance in his first ever BOSS GP qualifying session and finished 8th in class.

The remaining rankings are available on the event page.

The first of two races of the BOSS GP Season Opening starts today, Saturday, at 15:55 local time. The race will be broadcast on Italian television (MS Motortv) and on the YouTube channel from race organiser Gruppo Peroni.

Photo: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Report Free Practice Mugello

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Keke Platzer - General

The first impressions of BOSS GP 2021.

The first day of a new season is always something very special, and this year was no exception: new teams, new drivers, new cars and new liveries showed up at the Mugello Circuit on Friday morning. The two half-hour free practice sessions were used extensively by all the drivers. Many of them completed their first kilometres after the long winter break and wanted to get their muscles and minds back in shape. In addition, the crews recorded a lot of data behind the pit wall and fine-tuned the set-up.

BOSS GP record holder Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) set the fastest time in his Toro Rosso STR1. As usual, he used FP1 to set the fastest lap of the day (1:28.861). BOSS GP rookie Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) surprised as fastest FORMULA driver in today’s practice sessions. The experienced kart driver has thus immediately joined the circle of favourites. Only slightly slower than Colombo was Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag), who also wants to fight for victory this weekend.

Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International), who last won a BOSS GP race in 2018, would like to join the party as well. The return to MM International and into a GP2 race car started promisingly anyway (class rank 3 in practice). Fourth and fifth fastest today were Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), the two dominators of last year. Both may not have reached their full potential in practice. Incidentally, Ghiotto completed the most kilometres of all the drivers with 27 laps counted.

BOSS GP rookie Gianluca de Lorenzi (SMR, GDL Racing) was also in the mix as he sets the fastest time for an Auto GP driver today. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) was still struggling with the fine tuning. Last year’s race winner, however, can possibly hope for rain in the races. First qualifying of the year starts tomorrow at 10:05 a.m., before race 1 will get underway at 15:55 local time.

Photo: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Report Race 2 Mugello

Posted on October 11, 2020 by Keke Platzer - General

Fiedler wins rain race ahead of Matile.

Rain, lightning and thunder had the Mugello region firmly under control on Sunday. It was no wonder that some drivers in their cars with over 600 hp took no risks and decided not to start in the second race of the weekend. Even more admirable are those drivers who ventured onto the wet track with partly standing water.

From the front row, yesterday’s race winner Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) started the race. Just when the lights switched to green, Martucci lost control of his car and was lucky not to hit the pit wall. After this moment of shock he was even able to continue the race. Still in lap 1, Ghiotto, who was in the lead, also lost control and spun his car at the exit of “Arrabbiata 1”. Because the vehicle had to be recovered from the meadow, the Fanatec Safety Car neutralised the race.

In the lead now was Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) in a Dallara GP2, who battled for the lead with Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag) in an Auto-GP-Lola in the final stage of the race. With victory in sight, both drivers gave everything they had, sometimes only centimetres apart from each other in a drift. In the end, Fiedler defied all attacks from Matile and took his first overall BOSS GP victory. However, Nicolas was also happy with second place and his best BOSS GP result so far. For the second time this year Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni) finished on the podium in his new Auto GP. His rain experience paid off this time.

Bruno Jarach (EST, Eeesti Motorsport) also achieved his best BOSS GP result with fourth place. Fifth place went to the unlucky Luca Martucci, who at least secured the fastest lap.

After the two races in Mugello, the decisions in the championship have also been made: Ingo Gerstl (OPEN) and Marco Ghiotto (FORMULA) defend their title from last year. The top 3 in the big class are completed by Benetton driver Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) and Jaguar driver Riccardo Ponzio (ITA, Adriatica Competition). Overall 2nd place in the FORMULA class goes to Luca Martucci. Sensational third place goes to Ghiotto’s team-mate Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio).

The season finale in Imola had to be cancelled. The reason for this is the starting build-up for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna, which takes place on November 1^st. Instead, the BOSS GP Racing Series plans a final event at the Adria Raceway (ITA). Details will follow soon.

Photo: Roberto Piccinini/Actualfoto

Report Race 1 Mugello

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Keke Platzer - General, Uncategorized

FORMULA: Martucci beats Ghiotto, Gerstl ahead of Ehninger in the OPEN class

The BOSS GP drivers have a lot to tell after this race. Of all things, it started to rain at the start of the warm-up lap on the 5.4-kilometre-long Mugello Circuit. To ensure a safe start to the race and to give the teams time to change to rain tyres, the race was stopped once again and started a few minutes later behind the Fanatec Safety Car. But not everyone switched from slicks to the Pirelli Cinturato rain tyres during the break. Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag), Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni) and Bruno Jarach (EST, Eesti Motorsport) took the risk, but their tyre choice turned out to be a mistake as soon as the race was started. At various points around the track it began to rain more heavily again. The changing conditions subsequently made it incredibly difficult for the drivers to find the right pace. But the BOSS GP drivers did an outstanding job and managed to keep their powerful Formula 1, Formula 2 and Auto GP cars on track.

Behind the Austrian Ingo Gerstl (winner of the OPEN class) in the Toro Rosso F1, Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) fought an epic battle for the victory in the FORMULA class. In lap 1 Ghiotto first passed Martucci. At mid-race, the action came to a head: After a few tentative attempts, Martucci made the decisive manoeuvre at over 300 km/h on the start-finish straight. Nearly there was contact. But the duel was not over yet, because now Luca had to be up front in difficult track conditions. Marco followed only a few metres behind and tried to pass Martucci once again. To show how close it was between Martucci and Ghiotto: The best lap time of the two was only 0.003 seconds separated (in favour of Ghiotto). But it was no longer enough for the championship leader, instead Martucci’s team had reason to cheer this time. It was the first victory ever for the tall Italian in the BOSS GP Racing Series, and what a victory that was!

Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) was able to follow the two Italians in their home race for a couple of laps. He finished in a strong third place. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) also delivered a surprisingly good race. The third in the championship in 2019 has bought a new Dallara GP2 and is using this season’s races as a test. Because his team had no rain tyres at hand, the German had to drive to his tent in the paddock and then start from pit lane. Relatively quickly he moved up to fifth place in his class, but the gap to the front was already large. Until the halfway point of the race, Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) was on a good way to a fourth-place finish. But Steding lost ground in the second half of the race, and his position to compatriot Fiedler.

Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International) also drove impeccably, finishing sixth in his class behind Steding. Last year Mangini had announced his retirement. Today he proved that this was probably premature. Probably the hardest race had Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni). He was the only one who stayed on dry tyres until the end of the race and therefore had no chance. It is probably only thanks to his driving qualities that he was able to finish the race safely.

A ten-minute warm-up will be held tomorrow morning from 10.20 a.m. The second race of the weekend start 14.30. Rain showers are predicted.

Photo: Roberto Piccinini/Actualfoto

Report Race 1 Brno

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Keke Platzer - General

Ghiotto fights a duel with Gerstl and extends his lead in FORMULA.

For the first time this year, racing fans were able to experience the BOSS GP Racing Series live on site at the Masaryk Racing Days in Brno. The sound of V10 and V8 engines and the late summer temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius attracted a few thousand spectators on Saturday.

Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) was the clear favourite for the overall victory. But Gerstl did not make use of the full potential of his Toro Rosso STR1 F1 car and so Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) suddenly caught up with him in the middle of the race. Twice the lead changed between the two of them, until Gerstl finally prevailed. Ghiotto took it easy and with the class win he was able to further extend his lead in the FORMULA standings.

The gap to his competitors Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) and Roman Hoffmann (AUT, Hoffmann Racing) was much larger than initially expected. Martucci overtook Hoffmann right after the start and then settled for second place in the class. BOSS GP rookie Hoffmann remained third and was able to take home a trophy for the third time in a row despite gearbox problems.

Because Walter Steding (DEU, Scuderia Palladio) could not get away at the pre-start, a race to catch up followed with some overtaking manoeuvres worth seeing. In the end he only just missed the podium with 4th place in his class. Steding also overtook Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni), who finished fifth in the FORMULA class.

Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) gained the most positions, moving up from 9th to 6th right in the starting phase. Bianca Steiner (AUT, Steiner Motorsport) remained in the race ahead of Christian Ferstl (AUT, Ferstl Racing) and Christopher Höher (AUT, Top Speed), who, however, made his way to the pits early.

Tomorrow’s warm-up starts at 9h05, before the second race gets underway at 12h20. As in race 1, the starting order will be according to the result of qualifying session. If the weather forecast is correct, the Pirelli Cinturato rain tyres could be in use tomorrow.

Photo: Dirk Hartung

Report Qualifying Brno

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Keke Platzer - General

Ingo Gerstl and Marco Ghiotto will start from row 1.

As expected, the qualifying in the FORMULA class turned into a three-way battle for pole position. Best in class was FORMULA points leader Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), who beat Roman Hoffmann (AUT, Hoffmann Racing) by only two tenths of a second. Hoffmann achieved his best qualifying result so far and puts his Dallara GP2 on the second row of the grid for both races. Next to him Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) will be on the hunt through the Automotodrom Brno.

Walter Steding (DEU, Scuderia Palladio) was able to repeat his performance from Friday in Q1. He will start from 5th position, Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni) qualified behind him. De Plano in his A1GP car was the only driver to improve his time at the end of Q2. In the end, he was only missing Steding’s time by a hundredth of a second. Three Austrians follow in positions 7 to 9: Bianca Steiner (Steiner Motorsport), Christian Ferstl (Ferstl Racing) and Christopher Höher (Top Speed). Höher, who won the season opener in Imola, only drove a timed lap.

Fastest in the third qualifying session this year was again Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in the Toro Rosso STR1. With 1:35.544 he was only slightly behind his own lap record. Green Flag for race 1 with a distance of 20 minutes will be this afternoon at 15h25.

Photo: Dirk Hartung

Report Free Practice Brno

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Keke Platzer - General

Review of a surprising Friday at the Masaryk Racing Days.

If we look at today’s practice times, we can expect an exciting battle for pole position tomorrow, especially in the FORMULA class. With only small gaps Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) and Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) as well as Roman Hoffmann (AUT, Hoffmann Racing) qualified for the qualifying of the five fastest pilots from the free practice sessions. Hoffmann in particular could give the two fast Italians a good run for their only fifth race tomorrow in a GP2 Dallara. For the first time Walter Steding (DEU, MM International) also qualified for Q1. Can he even compete for a podium tomorrow?

The fastest drivers qualified for Q2 are Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni) in his A1GP car and Florian Schnitzenbaumer (DEU, Top Speed). Bianca Steiner (7th in class; AUT, Steiner Motorsport) tried to settle in today. She make her comeback in the BOSS GP Racing Series after a long break from racing. Only for the second time at the start of a BOSS GP racing weekend is hill climb specialist Christian Ferstl (AUT, Ferstl Racing), today it was enough for eighth place in the class, and he is expecting even more on Saturday and Sunday. Behind him in the tableau follow Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International), Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) and Bruno Jarach (EST, Scuderia Palladio).

Fastest today was Brno lap record holder Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in his Toro Rosso STR1 with V10 Cosworth power. He set the best time with 1:39.051. The qualifying session, divided into two groups, will start tomorrow Saturday at 9:30 am.

Photo: Dirk Hartung