Tag: World Series

EN: 2024 season review FORMULA

In 2024, the FORMULA class once again guaranteed plenty of excitement. A total of 24 drivers competed in at least one of the six BOSS GP race weekends.

Most of the participants chose Dallara GP2 cars from different years, but there were also some Dallara World Series 3.5 and Lola Auto GP cars on the grid. The choice of the favourites for the title was quick: Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International), who was champion in the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, and Colombo’s teammate Juju Noda (JPN), who had switched from HS Engineering to MM International before the season and was also competing in the Super Formula in Japan in 2024. Noda is considered the fastest female single seaster driver in Asia and is working hard to make it to Formula 1. Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) also saw opportunities in the former championship-winning car of Charles Leclerc. The three-time champion was only narrowly defeated by compatriot Colombo in previous years and started with his own team.

In the first race at Hockenheim, there was an unfortunate collision between Colombo and Noda during the first lap, which forced both out of the race. It seems benefiting from a bad race was not meant to be for Ghiotto. Instead, new faces were at the top of the results: Alexander Seibold (GER, Seibold auto + sport), who has been active in the series for several years, and Martin Kindler (SUI, Jenzer Motorsport), who returned to the series this year, were battling for victory. In the end, it was Seibold who was able to celebrate his first BOSS GP race victory at the Jim Clark Revival. In the second race, the qualifying order was resumed, with Colombo winning ahead of Noda and Ghiotto.

Rookie Michael Fischer was one of the most promising newcomers this year

At the BOSS GP return to the Nürburgring, Simone Colombo then climbed to the top of the podium twice. In the second race, an action-packed duel developed between Colombo and Noda, who were driving on the edge. After another unsuccessful overtaking attempt, the Japanese driver spun and threw away a sure podium finish – victory was within her reach. Colombo took the lead in the standings with his third victory in a row, while Ghiotto also scored big points on two further occasions. In the shadow of the duel at the top, a rookie drove into the spotlight: GT racing ace Michael Fischer (Red Rose Racing by LRT) from Austria made it onto the podium in only his second BOSS GP race and celebrated second place together with mentor Stefan Eisinger-Sewald – a remarkable performance that another rookie was even able to top later.

Juju Noda (front) won her first ever BOSS GP race at the Red Bull Ring in June

But first, it was off to the Red Bull Ring, the home track of the championship. Initially, Colombo continued his winning streak, but a technical failure in Sunday’s race dampened his hopes again. This paved the way for the first class victory by a woman in the BOSS GP Racing Series: Juju Noda won Sunday’s race, after she had lost first place on Saturday due to a time penalty (incorrect starting position).

Another speedy rookie: Max Cuccarese not only took second place at Assen, but also the title of “Rookie of the Year”

In Assen, Colombo was once again the driver to beat. Despite pole position for Noda, the Italian was the best in race 1, but in race 2 the technical devil took control again. Noda won on Sunday, but she was not the only 18-year-old on the podium: shooting star Max Cuccarese (ITA) surprised in his racing debut in the MM International GP2 with 2nd and 3rd place.

The two Auto GP from the French team ZIGZAG took part in both events in Italy

Noda was absent from Mugello due to a clash of dates, which meant that the fastest BOSS GP female driver was out of the title race. After Colombo’s two retirements, Marco Ghiotto had now taken the lead in the standings. With nine podium finishes in a row, he showed incredible consistency, even if a little luck was also needed in the event of a minor collision with a lapped driver in Mugello. But before the Grande Finale at Misano, Colombo sent the championship into a cliffhanger with two wins at Mugello.

Former Euroformula Open pilot Vladimir Netusil (front) from Czech Republic won suprisingly race 1 in Misano

In the first race at the World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Misano, the title contenders met on the track, which had rarely happened in the 2024 season up to that point. But it didn’t end well, Colombo retired and Ghiotto received a drive-through penalty. Because Colombo’s car also failed to start on Sunday, the decision was made in favour of Ghiotto. Without a race win, but with ten podium finishes from twelve races, he clinched his fourth BOSS GP title in the FORMULA class!

Best of the World Series cars: Paul O’Connell made three podium appearances, including a victory in the final race at Misano

Noda eventually finished third in the championship ahead of Paul O’Connell (HS Engineering) from Ireland, who managed to score another victory in the last race of the year with his World Series 3.5 V8. Max Cuccarese was heartbroken, because he too would have almost won had it not been foiled by competitor Noda (Saturday) or an early braking manoeuvre before the checkered flag (Sunday). Nevertheless, the title “Rookie of the Year” went to the Italian.

Roland Rupprechter from Austria was giving his all!

With several top finishes, Roland Rupprechter (AUT, R&B Research and Wealth Management) has been making a name for himself this year, and Martin Kindler, who is the smallest team on the circuit, has also settled well into the series, qualifying for Qualifying 1 of the fastest pilots several times. Vladimir Netusil (CZE, MM International) is another fast rookie in the series. The Czech, who has competed in the last four races, won race 1 in Misano. The comebacks of Phil Stratford (USA, Scuderia Palladio) and of father and son Große-Aschhoff (GER, Asche-Racing) are also worthy of mention. Son Felix was at one point even leading the standings after the opening races in Hockenheim. Nicolas Matile (MCO) secured the unofficial title of fastest driver of the Auto GP, but only just managed to pip ZIGZAG colleague Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA) to the top spot by a single point.

Interested drivers can already pre-register for the 2025 season. Send a non-binding inquiry now to office@bossgp.com

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

DE: Saisonrückblick 2024 FORMULA

In der FORMULA-Klasse war auch 2024 wieder Abwechslung garantiert. Insgesamt 24 Fahrer und Fahrerinnen nahmen zumindest an einem der sechs BOSS GP-Rennwochenenden teil.

Die meisten der Teilnehmer setzten auf Dallara GP2 verschiedener Baujahre, auch einige Dallara World Series 3.5 sowie Lola Auto GP mischten sich in die Startaufstellung. Die Favoriten auf den Titel waren schnell gefunden: Zum einen Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International), der in den Saisonen 2022 und 2023 Meister wurde. Außerdem Colombos Teamkollegin Juju Noda (JPN), die vor der Saison von HS Engineering zu MM International gewechselt war und 2024 auch in der Super Formula in Japan antrat. Noda gilt als schnellste asiatische Formelfahrerin und arbeitet hart daran, in Richtung Formel 1 zu kommen. Chancen rechnete sich auch Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) im Ex-Meister-Wagen von Charles Leclerc aus. Der bis dahin dreimalige Meister war in den Vorjahren nur knapp gegen Landsmann Colombo unterlegen und fährt in seinem eigenen Team.

Bereits im ersten Rennen in Hockenheim kam es zu einer unglücklichen Kollision zwischen Colombo und Noda in der Startphase, die beide aus dem Rennen riss. Doch auch Ghiotto konnte mit einem verkorksten Rennen davon nicht profitieren. Stattdessen duellierten sich neue Farben an der Spitze: Es kam zum Duell um den Sieg zwischen Alexander Seibold (GER, Seibold auto + sport), der schon einige Jahre in der Serie aktiv ist, und Martin Kindler (SUI, Jenzer Motorsport), der in diesem Jahr wieder in die Serie zurückgekehrt war. Schließlich war es Seibold, der beim Jim Clark Revival über seinen ersten BOSS GP-Rennsieg jubeln konnte. Im zweiten Rennen war die Ordnung aus dem Qualifying dann wieder hergestellt und Colombo gewann vor Noda und Ghiotto.

Rookie Michael Fischer war gleich auf Podestkurs

Bei der BOSS GP-Rückkehr auf den Nürburgring kletterte dann zweimal Simone Colombo ganz nach oben auf das Podest. Im zweiten Rennen entwickelte sich ein actionreiches, an der Grenze geführtes Duell zwischen Colombo und Noda. Nach einem weiteren missglückten Überholversuch drehte sich die Japanerin und warf damit ein sicheres Podium weg – der Sieg war zum Greifen nahe. Colombo übernahm mit dem dritten Sieg in Folge die Tabellenführung, während auch Ghiotto zwei weitere Male dicke Punkte sammelte. Im Schatten des Duells an der Spitze fuhr ein Rookie ins Rampenlicht: GT-Ass Michael Fischer (Red Rose Racing by LRT) aus Österreich erreichte bei seinem erst zweiten BOSS GP-Rennen das Podest und feierte gemeinsam mit Mentor Stefan Eisinger-Sewald Rang 2 – ein Kunststück, das ein weiterer Rookie später im Jahr sogar noch toppen konnte.

Juju Noda (vorne) gewann am Red Bull Ring ihr erstes BOSS GP-Rennen

Zuvor ging es allerdings an den Red Bull Ring und damit auf die Heimstrecke der Meisterschaft. Zunächst setzte Colombo seine Siegesserie fort, doch im Sonntagsrennen folgte mit einem technischen Defekt ein weiterer Hoffnungsdämpfer. Damit war der Weg frei für den ersten Klassensieg einer Frau in der BOSS GP Racing Series: Juju Noda gewann das Sonntagsrennen, nachdem sie am Samstag noch durch eine Zeitstrafe (inkorrekte Startposition) Platz 1 verloren hatte.

Ein weiterer schneller Rookie: Max Cuccarese holte sich nicht nur Platz 2 in Assen, sondern auch den Titel Rookie of the Year”

In Assen war Colombo erneut jener Fahrer, den es zu schlagen galt. Trotz Poleposition für Noda war der Italiener in Rennen 1 der Beste, doch übernahm in Rennen 2 abermals der Technikteufel die Kontrolle. Noda siegte am Sonntag, doch sie war nicht die einzige 18-Jährige am Podium: Shooting Star Max Cuccarese (ITA) überraschte beim Renndebüt im GP2 von MM International mit den Rängen 2 und 3.

Die beiden Auto GP vom französischen Team ZIGZAG nahmen an beiden Italien-Veranstaltungen teil

In Mugello fehlte Noda wegen einer Terminüberschneidung, damit war die schnellste BOSS GP-Amazone aus dem Titelrennen. In der Tabelle hatte sich nach den beiden Ausfällen von Colombo nun Marco Ghiotto in Führung gesetzt. Mit neun Podestplätzen in Folge zeigte er eine unglaubliche Konstanz, auch wenn wie im Falle einer kleinen Kollision mit einem überrundeten Fahrer in Mugello auch Glück dazugehörte. Bevor es zum Grande Finale nach Misano ging, machte es Simone Colombo mit zwei Siegen in Mugello aber noch einmal spannend.

Der tschechische Ex-EFO-Pilot Vladimir Netusil (vorne) gewann überraschend Lauf 1 in Misano

Im ersten Lauf am World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Misano trafen sich die Titelkontrahenten dann auf der Strecke, was in der Saison 2024 bis dahin nur selten vorkam. Doch es nahm kein gutes Ende, Colombo fiel aus und Ghiotto musste eine Durchfahrtsstrafe antreten. Weil Colombos Auto am Sonntag dann auch noch streikte, war die Entscheidung zugunsten Ghiotto gefallen. Ohne Rennsieg, aber mit zehn Podestplätzen aus zwölf Rennen holte er sich seinen vierten BOSS GP-Titel in der FORMULA-Klasse!

Bester der World-Series-Autos: Paul O’Connell fuhr dreimal aufs Podest, darunter auch beim Sieg im Finale in Misano

Noda blieb schließlich Dritte in der Meisterschaft vor Paul O’Connell (HS Engineering) aus Irland, dem mit seinem World Series 3.5 V8 im letzten Rennen des Jahres noch ein Sieg glückte. Max Cuccarese war untröstlich, denn auch er hätte beinahe gewonnen, wären nicht Konkurrentin Noda (Samstag) und ein verfrühtes Abbremsen vor der Zielflagge (Sonntag) dazwischengekommen. Der Titel „Rookie des Jahres“ ging dennoch verdient an den Italiener.

Roland Rupprechter aus Österreich gab alles!

Mit mehreren Spitzenplätzen wusste Roland Rupprechter (AUT, R&B Research and Wealth Management) in diesem Jahr von sich Reden zu machen, ebenfalls bestens in die Serie eingefügt hat sich Martin Kindler, der sich als kleinstes Team an der Strecke mehrfach für Qualifying 1 der schnellsten Piloten qualifizieren konnte. Mit Vladimir Netusil (CZE, MM International) hat sich ein weiterer schneller Rookie in der Rennserie eingefunden. Der Tscheche, der die letzten vier Läufe bestritt, siegte in Misano in Lauf 1. Erwähnenswert sind auch die Comebacks von Phil Stratford (USA, Scuderia Palladio) sowie Vater und Sohn Große-Aschhoff (GER, Asche-Racing). Sohn Felix war nach den Auftaktrennen in Hockenheim sogar zwischenzeitlich Tabellenführer. Die inoffizielle Wertung des schnellsten Auto GP sicherte sich teamintern Nicolas Matile (MCO), aber nur um einen Punkt Vorsprung auf ZIGZAG-Kollegen Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA).

Interessierte Fahrer können sich bereits für die Saison 2025 voranmelden. Sendet jetzt eine unverbindliche Anfrage an office@bossgp.com

Fotos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

EN: 2024 season review SUPER LIGHTS

Stephan Glaser, a newcomer to the BOSS GP, won the title. With nine race wins, the Swiss driver left the competition without a chance.

In the 2024 season, the SUPER LIGHTS class was once again the home of monoposto cars with V6 engines and older Formula 3000 cars. In particular, the Formula 3000 cars thrilled fans with their sound, manual transmission and spectacular slides. Both regular driver Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (Red Rose Racing) and BOSS GP rookie Stefan Scho proved with several podium finishes that the older Formula 3000 cars are far from obsolete. Although the Austrian Eisinger-Sewald and his team had to deal with several technical issues with their Ralt and therefore had to drop out of the title race early on.

First start, first win for Stefan Scho at the Nürburgring 2024

German Stefan Scho, a former Formula 3 driver, lined up with a dark red Lola F3000 with a V8 Cosworth engine. In his home race at the Nürburgring, he got off to a flying start, taking first place in both races. He followed that up with two second places in Assen and is planning further outings in 2025.

Last season’s champion, Henry Clausnitzer (WF Racing), held his own in the title fight for a long time. Clausnitzer, who is from Germany’s Lausitz region, continues to drive a V6 Formula Renault built by Tatuus in 2003. His eye-catching paintwork, inspired by the 2005/2006 Renault F1 world championship team, attracted a lot of attention again last season. After a solid start to the season, Clausnitzer was held back by several technical problems on race weekends, but numerous night shifts with his crew finally got the car running again. The efforts paid off and another top result was achieved: 2nd place in the overall standings behind Stephan Glaser.

Glaser in front, followed by Scho (left) and one of the GP2 cars from the FORMULA race. Behind them, Eisinger-Sewald (left), Stadelmann (center) and Clausnitzer (right) are in a three-way fight

Glaser, who already had monoposto experience when he entered the series, was quickly noticed by his SUPER LIGHTS opponents. With the relatively modern World Series V6 (built in 2008), entered by Jo Zeller Racing, he was often too fast for the competition. Except for the race weekend at the Nürburgring, he managed to secure at least one race victory at each track. Even retirement in the last race at Misano could no longer change the fact that he had won the championship title.

Further highlights included the starts of ace Walter Colacino (ITA), the comeback of ex-champion Andreas Hasler (AUT) including a stunning victory at the finale in Misano, and the appearances of Jody Stadelmann (SUI) in the Formula Nippon. In the 2025 season, the SUPER LIGHTS class will remain a guarantee for exciting motorsport with thrilling race cars from around the world.

Jody Stadelmann with the Formula Nippon car previously used in Japan, built by the US company G-Force

Interested drivers can already pre-register for the 2025 season. Send a non-binding inquiry now to office@bossgp.com

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report: Races Misano

The fourth race weekend of the 2023 BOSS GP Racing Series in Misano was a good reason for the Brazilian drivers to celebrate Carnival.

The Italian race organiser PNK Motorsport invited samba dancers into the paddock and proved to have a lucky hand, as two Brazilians were at the front of the grid after qualifying.

Antonio Pizzonia (BRA, HS Engineering) was the favourite for overall victory at the Misano race. In the absence of Formula 1 cars, for which the Misano circuit is not approved, the ex-Formula 1 driver fulfilled expectations. The wins were the first two overall victories for the driver in the World Series V8 car and the next double in the OPEN category. HS Engineering teammate Paul O’Connell (IRL) was suffering with electrical problems throughout the weekend. At least in race 1, he was able to score with second place in the OPEN category.

Harald Schlegelmilch: World Series beats GP2

In the first race, the FORMULA classification was fiercely contested only in the starting phase. Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) briefly took the lead from third on the grid in class before returnee Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA, HS Engineering) stormed to the front and claimed a historic victory: For a long time no Dallara World Series car (in Schlegelmilch’s case from the 2012 generation) had won against Dallara’s GP2 cars, which were slightly faster on paper.

The duel of the weekend was between Schlegelmilch and Adriano Buzaid (BRA, MM International) in the second race on Sunday afternoon. After Schlegelmilch had ensured that HS Engineering triumphed in two classes on Saturday, Buzaid was able to convert his pole position into a victory on Sunday. The two were together for the entire race distance, with no more than one second separating the dominant duo during the longer Sunday race. In the end, Buzaid crossed the finish line with a lead of only 0.8 seconds.

Nicolas Matile (f.) was the best-placed driver with an Auto GP car on Sunday

Once again, only a tiny margin separated the winner and the runner-up in the FORMULA class, but the debut victory of the Brazilian Buzaid is also a sensation. After racing at the front of the British Formula 3 Championship more than ten years ago, the now 35-year-old took an extended break from racing. This weekend, he returned to a single-seater racing car for the Italian team MM International in Misano and finished 2nd and 1st. MM International had more than one reason to be happy, because Simone Colombo also beat his arch-rival Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) in the duel for third place, narrowly but nevertheless, to take two more podium places and the next important points for a possible title defence.

Fabian Vettel (GER, Top Speed) finished fifth in the first of the two races this weekend, which was remarkable after he even had to go to hospital on Friday for a closer check-up after an accident. However, he was then able to take part in qualifying and the race in a replacement car of his Austrian team Top Speed after receiving medical clearance. In Sunday’s race, “Checco” Malavasi (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) finished fifth. Best Auto GP car within the FORMULA class: in race 1 Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA, Zig-Zag), in race 2 Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag).

After Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (AUT, Red Rose Racing) won SUPER LIGHTS twice last time at the Red Bull Ring, it was now Henry Clausnitzer’s (WF Racing) turn again. The German continues to make his mark with season wins 5 and 6 in the six-cylinder car class. Although, Walter Colacino (ITA, Colacino Racing) in the 1996 Formula 3000 set a good pace, especially in the second race. The Italian finished second twice in his home race.

Complete podium after race 1: f.l. Colacino, Buzaid, O’Connell, Pizzonia, Schlegelmilch, Clausnitzer, Colombo

There’s a sequel in three weeks’ time. The BOSS GP Racing Series returns to the TT Circuit in Assen from 11 to 13 August, where tens of thousands of spectators are expected at Jack’s Racing Day.

Report: Red Bull Ring Spielberg Race 2

Plenty of fans listened to the sounds of the BOSS GP Racing Series today. Numerous duels characterized the second round of the Rundstreckentrophy in Austria.

BOSS GP F1 Class

In the early stages of Sunday’s race, the two Top Speed teammates Ingo Gerstl (AUT) and Thomas Jackermeier (DEU) circulated around the 2.7-mile Formula 1 track in their Toro Rossos synchronously. Jackermeier even recorded his first leading miles in the BOSS GP Racing Series. This was remarkable, as it was only his second race in a Formula 1 car. In the second half of the race, however, Gerstl shifted up a gear and took the lead again in his Toro Rosso STR1. The Austrian not only drove to home victory but also to his fourth win of the 2022 season. Jackermeier finished the race in second place, as he did yesterday, and can thus look back on a highly successful debut weekend in the Toro Rosso STR3. Third place went to last year’s champion Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) in the 1997 Benetton.

BOSS GP OPEN Class

As pole setter of the second starting group, Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA, HS Engineering) was once again trying to catch up with the Formula 1 cars in front of him. Schlegelmilch drove to a safe start-finish victory in the OPEN class in his modified World Series car. Anton Werner (GER, Ryschka Motorsport) in the only IndyCar car finished second.

BOSS GP FORMULA Class

Chovanec-Lopez (Dallara GP2 Mecachrome) won both races in the FORMULA class

With an advantage of half a minute in the final classification Zdenek Chovanec-Lopez (PRT, MM International) dominated the class, which was mainly filled with Formula 2 cars. In contrast to yesterday, he tried to build up a bigger lead with fast lap times already in the early stages, which he succeeded in doing. With victory number 3 this season, Chovanec-Lopez also extended his lead in the standings. Behind the winner, the competitors were increasingly fighting with each other: Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) duelled for second place for a long time. Because Ghiotto was losing ground towards the end of the race due to overheated brakes, the reigning champion was only able to finish 3rd behind Hockenheim race winner Colombo. Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) in the green glittering GP2 Dallara drove unchallenged to fourth place.

The best fights for positions were again delivered by the group around Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering) in the World Series V8 car, Michael Aberer (AUT, MA Motorsport), Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) and Bianca Steiner (AUT, Steiner Motorsport) in their GP2 cars. The positions changed several times, including some impressive braking manoeuvres. In the end, it was Steiner who prevailed, delighted with fifth place and a flawless race but annoyed with a botched qualifying session. Behind O’Connell and Aberer, Giancarlo Pedetti (ITA, Nannini Racing) was also able to work his way up the order in the race. Steding finished ninth, Thomas Jakoubek (AUT, Top Speed) finished tenth, glad to see the chequered flag this time.

Andreas Hasler takes full points in the Spielberg races

BOSS GP SUPER LIGHTS Class

The class of the six-cylinder cars was reserved for Andreas Hasler (AUT, Hasler Motorsport) from Styria, who made the short journey home with two winner’s trophies. For the next races, the BOSS GP rookie plans to finally be able to call up the full engine power of his older World Series car.

Hasler will have his next opportunity to do so in just two weeks’ time, at the BOSS GP races as part of the French Historic Grand Prix in Le Castellet (June 17-19, 2022).

Report Qualifying Misano

Marco Ghiotto takes pole position at home race.

Two-time BOSS GP champion in the FORMULA class, Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), secured the best grid position for both BOSS GP races this afternoon and on Sunday in a thrilling duel for pole position with Gianluca De Lorenzi (RSM, GDL Racing).

Right on time at 10:05 am local time and with an air temperature of nearly 30 degrees, the pit lights at the Misano World Circuit turned green and the engines were fired up. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) was the first to set a time in qualifying, but he quickly took a minor role in the battle for the fastest lap time. First Gianluca De Lorenzi (RSM, GDL Racing), this time in a WSbR-Dallara, blew away the best time by more than two seconds on his first lap.

But the opponents, in particular Marco Ghiotto and Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) – all in Formula 2 cars – attacked soon. While De Lorenzi pitted after two fast laps, Ghiotto was able to take the lead with a time of 1:24.761 one minute before the end. Colombo also improved, but remained third behind De Lorenzi, with Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) setting the fourth fastest time.

In Qualifying 2, rookie Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) was surprisingly the quickest driver. He only missed Fiedler’s time from Q1 by eight thousandths. Nevertheless, Jackermeier achieved his best qualifying result so far. He starts the race in sixth place. Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) and Christian Ferstl (AUT, Top Speed) follow from row 4.

On row 5 starts the fastest car of the new SUPER LIGHTS class: Maurizio Copetti (ITA) in the World Series by Nissan car run by Scuderia Palladio. Joining him on row five will be Bruno Jarach (EST, Eesti Motorsport). Walter Colacino (ITA, in Formula 3000) and debutant Simon Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed), who could only set one lap time in qualifying, follow on row six.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

First entries for 2019

22 drivers and 11 teams have already confirmed their participation in the BOSS GP race series 2019. New for the upcoming season: The PRESTIGE category for cars with 6-cylinder engines.

In 2019, if there are enough registrations, a separate classification for the 6-cylinder cars will be awarded. This concerns, among other cars, older World Series vehicles. Alongside the OPEN (F1, IndyCar) and the FORMULA (GP2, World Series, A1 GP, Auto GP, Superleague etc.), there is now a third classification within the Big Open Single Seaters.

With Formula Prestige and ESBA Racing, two new teams have announced their involvement in the BOSS GP 2019. The GT-experienced team ESBA enters a 1997 Benetton F1 for the German Ulf Ehninger. This would allow us to see a second B197 in the OPEN class alongside Phil Stratford’s car.
The Italian based team Formula Prestige has announced two drivers seats. You can still apply to the team for a place in one of their World Series race cars. More details on their fan page: www.facebook.com/formulaprestige

A current overview with updates on all drivers can be found at bossgp.com/driver

Interested drivers and teams are invited to contact our race coordinator Malin Strandberg at race@bossgp.com or by phone at +43 650 78 40 7 784 to register for 2019.

 

Report: Free Practice 2 Hockenheim

John Reaks and "Piter" in their World Series cars

Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) was fastest in his V10-Toro-Rosso for the second time; Florian Schnitzenbaumer was first in FORMULA this afternoon.

The victory in the OPEN class leads – this is to be expected – over BOSS GP champion Ingo Gerstl, also because of the struggeling competitors:

  • Bernd Herndlhofer already had to have his Arrows A22 packed, after yesterday on the day of testing everything was still running smoothly, today nothing worked at all. Troubleshooting will continue at home and another attempt will be made at the second race at the Red Bull Ring (18-20 May).
  • Wolfgang Jaksch is still hopeful to participate in the qualifying tomorrow (10:35 a.m. local time). The Super Aguri Cosworth suffers from heart disease, at least the fuel pump could be brought meanwhile to run.
  • The fourth entered in the OPEN class, Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing), was just ahead of the first FORMULA driver with 1:30.621 min. After he stopped in the morning, the mechanics continue to search for the cause in the afternoon.

Ingo Gerstl fastest in his Toro Rosso

Ingo Gerstl twice fastest in training on Friday at Hockenheim

 

  • With only one interruption, the BOSS GP came through the afternoon session. Bianca Steiner (Top Speed) spun at the branch of the new track, but with the help of the marshals she could continue.
  • The Frenchman “Piter” improved his time by three seconds compared to the morning (1:34.5 min) – despite a performance deficit compared to the GP2-Mecachrome he keeps up well with his World Series Renault.
  • Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing) complained that the track “gives less” than last year. But with 7th place he is right in the middle of the very close FORMULA field. Only two and a half seconds lie between positions 4 and 9. Considering that some were still on the road with old tyres today, the most excitement can be expected here.
  • The fastest FORMULA pilot of the morning Salvatore de Plano (MM International) had to miss the second session. Increased engine oil temperature prevented the car from leaving the pits. Instead, Florian Schnitzenbaumer was fastest in Dallara-GP2, with 1:30.922 he was almost seven seconds behind his team mate Gerstl’s Formula 1.
  • Last, but happy was John Reaks at Speed Center. At 68, the Briton is second oldest in the field and for the first time at Hockenheim: “You learn lap by lap”, he said after the training. The fastest man of the team from Germany was Peter Göllner in 7th place.
  • Karl-Heinz Becker from Germany would also have liked to learn, but the engine did make that impossible. His engineer was contacted in Japan – but so far he could not help by remote control either.

Pictures of today’s practice sessions available here:

Hockenheim Historic 2018

Ready for the ninth season: The BOSS GP 2018

Europes fastest racing series starts into an exciting year next weekend at the Jim Clark Revival at Hockenheimring with 19 starters.

First stop: classic meets modern
The season for the Big Open Single Seater begins traditionally at Hockenheim in Southern Germany. Next weekend (April 20-22), two races of the spectacular BOSS GP are scheduled in a setting that could hardly be more beautiful: Bosch Hockenheim Historic, in honour of Jim Clark, who died in Hockenheim on April 7, 1968, attracts tens of thousands to the Hockenheimring every year. Jim Clark’s 50th anniversary of his death is commemorated this year with numerous exhibitions and special tours commemorating the Formula 1 legend. In addition, more than 500 cars from all classes and epochs will gather in the Motodrom. Open doors await the spectators everywhere, as the ticket includes free access to the paddock, the exhibition pavilion, the pit roof and the pits themselves.

Podium of race 2 of the OPEN class in Hockenheim.

2017 podium in Hockenheim: f.l. Stratford, race winner Gerstl, Jaksch

 

Entries: BOSS GP
Four Formula 1 cars are listed, all of them eligible to compete in the OPEN Class: BOSS GP Champion Ingo Gerstl from Austria with the very first F1 Toro Rosso, the American Phil Stratford in the light blue and white Benetton from 1997, Bernd Herndlhofer (Austria) with Arrows A22 and the German entrepreneur Wolfgang Jaksch in the popular Super Aguri. There is no engine capacity limit in the open class – ‘anything goes’ is the motto here.

Starting No
Name Team Nat. Car
1 Ingo Gerstl Top Speed AUT Toro Rosso STR1
7 Phil Stratford Penn Elcom Racing USA Benetton B197
21 Bernd Herndlhofer H&A Racing AUT Arrows A22
26 Wolfgang Jaksch F-Xtreme Racing Team GER Super Aguri SA06

15 cars are competing for points in the FORMULA Class, which has a maximum engine capacity of 4.2 litres: Four World Series racing cars and eleven GP2 racing cars complete the field of participants at Hockenheim, including the GP2 cars from the three BOSS GP rookies Bianca Steiner, Thomas Jakoubek and Manfred Loach from Austria. Loach’s racing machine is probably the most striking car in the field – the Dallara is painted in pink due to the sponsor.

Manfred Loach im pink-lackierten GP2-Dallara beim Vorsaison-Test in Brünn

Pink Panther: Manfred Loach in Brno for the first test in his eye-catching Dallara GP2

In addition to Jaksch, four more Germans will race at this first BOSS GP race weekend 2018: Karl-Heinz Becker, Florian Schnitzenbaumer, Andreas Fiedler and Walter Steding.

Starting No Name Team Nat. Car
100 Thomas Jakoubek Top Speed AUT Dallara GP2
101 Peter Göllner Speed Center SUI Dallara GP2
110 Bianca Steiner Top Speed AUT Dallara GP2
111 “Piter” Ray-Ban FRA Dallara WSbR
181 Manfred Loach Top Speed AUT Dallara GP2
212 John Reaks Speed Center GBR Dallara WSbR
222 Veronika Cicha H&A Racing CZE Dallara GP2
321 Andreas Fiedler Fiedler Racing DEU Dallara GP2
323 Armando Mangini MM International ITA Dallara GP2
411 Karl-Heinz Becker Becker Motorsport DEU Dallara WSbR
430 Martin Kindler Kindler Motorsport SUI Dallara WSbR
505 Walter Steding Inter Europol Competition DEU Dallara GP2
555 Christian Eicke Speed Center SUI Dallara GP2
888 Florian Schnitzenbaumer Top Speed DEU Dallara GP2
999 Salvatore de Plano MM International ITA Dallara GP2

Schedule: BOSS GP at Bosch Hockenheim Historic
The 4.5-kilometre Grand Prix circuit and the supporting events compete, so to speak, for the spectators’ favour. On each of the three days of the event from 9.00 a.m. on the race track is literally round-the-clock. The BOSS GP series runs two 25-minute training sessions, one half-hour qualifying session and two 20-minute races. Testing takes place on Thursday (April 19) throughout the day.

Friday: April 20, 2018

10:00 am-10:25 am: Free practice 1
16:15-16:40: Free practice 2

Saturday: April 21, 2018

10:35 am-11:05 am: Qualifying
17:00-17:20: Race 1

Sunday: April 22, 2018

13:20-13:40: Race 2

The schedule featuring all racing series can be found under this link

Phil Stratford im 1997er-Benetton in Hockenheim 2017

Phil Stratford in his 97′ Benetton drives around a corner in the famous Motodrom

 

Tickets for fans: Bosch Hockenheim Historic
There’s an introductory offer for ten euros on Friday. A day ticket for Saturday or Sunday costs 30 euros each, 45 euros for the weekend. Wheelchair users and children up to 14 years have free entry – paddock and free choice of seats included.

Tickets can be ordered on site, via the online ticket shop or by calling the hotline +49 6205 950-222.