Antonio Pizzonia managed to take revenge for Race 1, as did his HS team-mate Paul O’Connell, who secured victory in the FORMULA class in the closing stages today.
The two World Series V8 4.5s of the HS Engineering team started the second race of the weekend from the front row of the grid. Antonio Pizzonia remained in front at the start this time and defended this position until the end of the race. Haralds Slegelmilhs was close at times and even had a small contact, but the Latvian had to settle for second place today.
The last race of the year was not without drama in the GP2 and World Series 3.5 category: Max Cuccarese (ITA, MM International), who was leading the race like yesterday, once again lost what he thought was a sure victory on the last lap of the race. Today, however, it was not a collision but a misunderstanding on the part of the young driver, who had taken his foot off the gas a lap too early.
Because Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), who was following behind, also slowed down a bit, the man who had been in third place until this point took his chance: Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering) was the one who was caught on the final straight yesterday. Today the tide turned and the Irishman finally won the race ahead of Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), who this year reclaimed the title from his rival Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) after two years. Astonishingly, Ghiotto achieved this without a single race win, but with ten podium finishes! Colombo was unfortunately unable to take part in today’s race.
Yesterday’s race winner and BOSS GP newcomer Vladimir Netusil (CZE, MM International) finished in fourth place. The ZIGZAG duo of Nicolas Matile (MCO) and Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA) were together for the entire race and finished fifth and sixth.
In the SUPER LIGHTS, top favourite Stephan Glaser (SUI, Jo Zeller Racing) had to pit early in the last race with gearbox problems. This opened up the opportunity for Walter Colacino (ITA) and Andreas Hasler (AUT, Hasler Motorsport) to take the class win. After a spin at the beginning of the race, Hasler started a race to catch up in his World Series V6 and overtook Colacino’s Formula 3000 in the middle of the race, which ultimately proved to be the race-deciding manoeuvre for the Austrian.
The champions of the 2024 season are Ulf Ehninger (F1), Antonio Pizzonia (OPEN), Marco Ghiotto (FORMULA) and Stephan Glaser (SUPER LIGHTS).
Antonio Pizzonia gelingt die Revanche für Rennen 1, ebenso seinem HS-Teamkollegen Paul O’Connell, der sich heute auf den letzten Metern den Sieg in der FORMULA-Klasse sichert.
Die beiden World Series V8 4.5 des Teams HS Engineering gingen aus der ersten Startreihe in das zweite Rennen des Wochenendes. Antonio Pizzonia blieb diesmal am Start in Front und verteidigte diese Position bis zum Rennende. Zwischenzeitlich war Haralds Slegelmilhs zwar nahe dran, es kam sogar zu einer kleinen Berührung, doch der Lette musste sich heute mit Rang zwei begnügen.
Auch das letzte Rennen des Jahres blieb nicht ohne Drama in der Kategorie der GP2 und World Series 3.5: Der wie schon gestern führende Max Cuccarese (ITA, MM International) verlor aber erneut in der letzten Runde des Rennens den sichergeglaubten Sieg. Heute war es allerdings keine Kollision, sondern ein Missverständnis des jungen Fahrers, der eine Runde zu früh vom Gas gegangen war.
Weil auch der dahinter folgende Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) etwas langsamer wurde, ergriff der bis dahin Drittplatzierte seine Chance: Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering) war gestern derjenige gewesen, der auf der Zielgeraden abgefangen wurde. Heute wendete sich das Blatt und der Ire gewann das Rennen schließlich vor Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), der sich in diesem Jahr den Titel nach zwei Jahren von seinem Rivalen Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) zurückholen konnte. Das Erstaunliche: das gelang Ghiotto ohne einen einzigen Rennsieg, aber mit zehn Podestplätzen! Colombo konnte am heutigen Tag leider nicht mehr am Rennen teilnehmen.
Auf Rang 4 kam der gestrige Rennsieger und BOSS GP-Neueinsteiger Vladimir Netusil (CZE, MM International) ins Ziel. Nicolas Matile (MCO) wurde Fünfter, vor seinem ZIGZAG-Teamkollegen Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA), die im Paarflug das Rennen bestritten.
Bei den SUPER LIGHTS musste Topfavorit Stephan Glaser (SUI, Jo Zeller Racing) im letzten Rennen mit Getriebeproblemen vorzeitig die Box aufsuchen. Das eröffnete die Chance für Walter Colacino (ITA) und Andreas Hasler (AUT, Hasler Motorsport), den Klassensieg zu holen. Nach einem Dreher zu Beginn des Rennens startete Hasler mit seinem World Series V6 eine Aufholjagd und überholte zu Rennmitte Colacinos Formel 3000. Das war schließlich das rennentscheidende Manöver für den Österreicher.
Die Meister der Saison 2024 heißen Ulf Ehninger (F1), Antonio Pizzonia (OPEN), Marco Ghiotto (FORMULA) und Stephan Glaser (SUPER LIGHTS).
Harald Schlegelmilch wins the first race after his comeback, a maiden victory for Vladimir Netusil in the FORMULA class and Stephan Glaser takes the SUPER LIGHTS title.
At the rolling start, all eyes were on pole setter Antonio Pizzonia (HS Engineering) in the World Series V8 4.5, as the Brazilian initially failed to get going. The cars directly behind were only just able to find a way past the former Formula 1 driver’s slow car. The best start belonged to Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), who moved to the front of the field from third on the grid. But it was Harald Schlegelmilch who took the lead a short time later in the much faster World Series V8 4.5 and set the pace in the early stages.
While Pizzonia was once again making his way to the front after the botched start, a duel between the two championship leaders Marco Ghiotto and Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) developed behind him. In Turn 2 the two then had a dramatic collision in, which ultimately led to Colombo retiring and a drive-through penalty for Ghiotto. Pizzonia used the following safety car period to catch up with team-mate Schlegelmilch again. Despite the Brazilian’s fastest race lap (1:20.837), the Latvian was unbeatable on his race debut in the BOSS GP Racing Series. After 22 minutes of racing, Schlegelmilch won the OPEN category ahead of Pizzonia.
Behind them, there was a duel between the two youngest drivers on the grid. The two 18-year-old MM International drivers Max Cuccarese (ITA) and Juju Noda (JPN) were together for almost the entire race before things came to a head on the very last lap. Juju tried to get alongside Cuccarese one last time, but the Japanese driver failed in her attempt and made contact with Cuccarese’s Dallara GP2. Both spun out and ended their race in the battle for the FORMULA win shortly before the end. Suddenly it was Paul O’Connell (IRE) in the World Series 3.5 car who was in the lead. He had been engaged in a tough duel with Vladimir Netusil (CZE, MM International), who suddenly smelled a chance of victory on the final lap and managed to overtake O’Connell in a photo finish on the home straight: only fractions of a second separated the two at the chequered flag.
Max Cuccarese was not celebrating third place after the collision, while Juju Noda finished fourth. Marco Ghiotto scored further points in fifth place and can secure the title tomorrow. Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA) was delighted to have won the team duel against Nicolas Matile (MCO) in the ZIGZAG-Auto GP.
Stephan Glaser (SUI, Jo Zeller Racing) claimed victory in the SUPER LIGHTS. The BOSS GP rookie deservedly secured the title with his eighth win of the season. Walter Colacino (ITA) took a great second place in this category, while Andreas Hasler (AUT, Hasler Motorsport) in third place was happy to have fixed the technical problems on the car from the previous day and to be able to attack again on Sunday.
Race 2 starts on Sunday at 12:25 pm and again covers a distance of 22 minutes.
Harald Schlegelmilch gewinnt sein ersten Rennen nach dem Comeback, Premierensieg für Vladimir Netusil in der FORMULA-Klasse und Stephan Glaser fährt zum Titel bei den SUPER LIGHTS.
Am Fliegenden Start waren alle Augen auf Polesetter Antonio Pizzonia (HS Engineering) im World Series V8 4.5 gerichtet, denn der Brasilianer kam zunächst nicht in die Gänge. Die direkt dahinterfahrenden Fahrzeuge konnten gerade noch einen Weg am langsamen Wagen des ehemaligen Formel-1-Fahrers vorbeifinden. Der beste Start gehörte Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), der sich aus Startreihe drei an die Spitze des Feldes setzen konnte. Doch es war Harald Schlegelmilch, der mit dem wesentlich schnelleren World Series V8 4.5 schon kurze Zeit später die Führung übernehmen konnte und das Tempo in der Anfangsphase bestimmte.
Während sich Pizzonia nach dem verpatzten Start erneut am Weg nach vorne befand, entwickelte sich dahinter ein Duell der beiden Meisterschaftsführenden Marco Ghiotto und Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International). In der ersten Kurvenkombination nach Start-und-Ziel kam es dann zu einer folgenschweren Kollision der beiden, die schließlich in einem Ausfall von Colombo und einer Durchfahrtsstrafe für Ghiotto mündete. Die anschließende Safety-Car-Phase nützte Pizzonia, um wieder auf Teamkollege Schlegelmilch aufzuschließen. Trotz der schnellsten Rennrunde (1:20.837) des Brasilianers war der Lette beim Renndebüt in der BOSS GP Racing Series nicht mehr zu schlagen. Nach 22 Minuten Rennzeit siegte Schlegelmilch vor Pizzonia in der OPEN-Kategorie.
Dahinter bahnte sich ein Duell der zwei Jüngsten im Starterfeld an. Die beiden 18-jährigen MM-International-Piloten Max Cuccarese (ITA) und Juju Noda (JPN) waren beinahe das ganze Rennen über zusammen unterwegs, ehe es sich in der allerletzten Runde zuspitzte. Dort versuchte Juju noch einmal an Cuccarese vorbeizugehen, doch die Japanerin scheiterte bei ihrem Versuch und touchierte dabei den Dallara-GP2 von Cuccarese. Beide drehten sich ins Aus und beendeten ihr Rennen im Kampf und den FORMULA-Sieg kurz vor dem Ende. Plötzlich war es Paul O’Connell (IRE) im World-Series-3.5-Auto, der in Führung lag. Er hatte sich bis dahin ein hartes Duell mit Vladimir Netusil (CZE, MM International) geliefert, der in der letzten Runde plötzlich die Chance auf den Sieg roch und sich auf der Zielgeraden an O’Connell in einem Fotofinish vorbeischieben konnte: Bruchteile einer Sekunde trennten die beiden bei der karierten Flagge.
Max Cuccarese konnte sich nach der Kollision nur bedingt über Rang 3 freuen, während Juju Noda als Vierte gewertet wurde. Marco Ghiotto holte sich als Fünfter weitere Punkte und kann morgen den Sack zum Titelgewinn zumachen. Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA) freute sich über das gewonnene Teamduell gegen Nicolas Matile (MCO) im ZIGZAG-Auto GP.
Bei den SUPER LIGHTS wurde Stephan Glaser (SUI, Jo Zeller Racing) als Sieger gefeiert. Mit dem achten Saisonsieg holt sich der BOSS GP-Rookie verdient den Titel. Walter Colacino (ITA) holte sich in dieser Kategorie einen tollen zweiten Platz, während Andreas Hasler (AUT, Hasler Motorsport) als Dritter froh war, die technischen Probleme vom Vortag am Auto behoben zu haben und am Sonntag nochmal angreifen zu können.
Rennen 2 startet am Sonntag um 12:25 Uhr und geht erneut über eine Distanz von 22 Minuten.
Mit Zeiten unter 1 Minute und 20 Sekunden und damit unter dem bestehenden Rundenrekord dominierten die beiden HS-Engineering-Piloten Antonio Pizzonia und Harald Schlegelmilch das Qualifying zum Grande Finale in Misano Adricatico.
Zunächst führte Schlegelmilch (LVA) das Qualifying an, ehe der amtierende OPEN-Champion Pizzonia (BRA) in seiner letzten schnellen Runde die Bestzeit setzte. Mit einem Zeitunterschied von nur 47 Tausendstelsekunden ist allerdings mit einem spannenden Zweikampf der beiden 4.5-Liter-World-Series an der Spitze des Feldes zu rechnen.
In der FORMULA-Kategorie geht es an diesem Wochenende noch um den Titel: Juju Noda (JPN) fuhr die schnellste Rundenzeit vor Max Cuccarese (ITA). Hinter seinen Teamkollegen von MM International musste sich Meisterschaftsanwärter Simone Colombo (ITA) einreihen, der am Trainingsfreitag mit technischen Schwierigkeiten zu kämpfen hatte. Der Meisterschaftsführende Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) startet aus derselben Reihe wie Colombo. Nach einem Dreher war er in der Lage, sein Qualifying fortzusetzen und damit für die Rennen in Schlagdistanz zu bleiben.
Schnellster der 3,5-Liter-World-Series war Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering) auf Platz 5 vor Vladimir Netusil (CZE, MM International). Bester der AutoGP-Fraktion: Nicolas Matile (MCO) vor ZIGZAG-Teamkollege Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA).
Der neue Meister der SUPER LIGHTS-Klasse, Stephan Glaser (SUI, Jo Zeller Racing), sicherte sich die “Pole” vor Walter Colacino (ITA) im Lola-Formel-3000.
Das erste Rennen startet heute Samstag um 14:55 Uhr.
With lap times under 1 minute and 20 seconds and thus under the existing lap record, the two HS-Engineering drivers Antonio Pizzonia and Harald Schlegelmilch dominated qualifying for the Grande Finale in Misano Adricatico.
Schlegelmilch (LVA) initially led qualifying before reigning OPEN champion Pizzonia (BRA) set the fastest time on his last fast lap. However, with a time difference of just 47 thousandths of a second, a thrilling duel between the two 4.5-litre World Series drivers at the front of the field is to be expected.
The title is still at stake in the FORMULA category this weekend: Juju Noda (JPN) set the fastest lap time ahead of Max Cuccarese (ITA). Championship contender Simone Colombo (ITA) had to line up behind his MM International team-mate, who struggled with technical difficulties on Friday’s practice session. Championship leader Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) started from the same row as Colombo. After a spin, he was able to continue his qualifying and thus remain within striking distance for the races.
Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering) was fastest in the 3.5-litre World Series in 5th place ahead of Vladimir Netusil (CZE, MM International). Best of the AutoGP group: Nicolas Matile (MCO) ahead of ZIGZAG team-mate Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA).
The new champion of the SUPER LIGHTS class, Stephan Glaser (SUI, Jo Zeller Racing), secured pole position ahead of Walter Colacino (ITA) in the Lola Formula 3000.
Rising star Massimiliano Cuccarese (high school student from Pignola in South Italy) made a fantastic debut in BOSS GP last time at Assen. Before his home race in Mugello the MM International driver explained why the BOSS GP Racing Series has captivated him.
When did your adventure with motorsport begin?
MAX CUCCARESE: “I became passionate about motorsport after watching MotoGP races on TV, but when I got older I rather preferred cars, especially single-seaters.”
Assen in August 2024: Max Cuccarese’s debut in a GP2 car
Tell us about your path from karting to BOSS GP
CUCCARESE: “I started in 2020 (when he was 13 years old, note) with karts in the IAME X30 junior category in the Campania regional championship. Due to the COVID pandemic participating in races was only possible one year later (i.e. in 2021). I finished the championship in 3rd place, unfortunately after missing a race for family reasons. In 2021 I took part in my first Italian Championship and WSK Euro Series in Sarno in the OK Senior category. The following year I switched to single seaters and did some tests with Formula 4 on Italian circuits. In 2023 I moved to Formula 3 and did a couple of tests with the Dallara F317. At the beginning of 2024 I did a test with the Dallara F320 before moving on to the fantastic GP2 of the MM International Motorsport team last June.”
Can you describe your emotions during your first race weekend in a super-fast single-seater last time with BOSS GP in Assen?
CUCCARESE: “It’s been a while since my last race and without knowing the track, I didn’t know what to expect, also because it was my first race in this car. But as soon as I got on the track during Free Practice I immediately got an excellent feeling and I realized that with the hard work of the all team members we had the speed to get on the podium in both races. As soon as I crossed the finish line of race 1 in place 2 I was really emotional and felt very happy for myself and the whole team.”
First race, first podium: Max (le.) finished second in Assen behind Simone Colombo (centre) and ahead of Marco Ghiotto (ri.)
How do you like the environment in BOSS GP?
CUCCARESE: “It’s a really pleasant environment, there is great respect between all the drivers and teams on and off the track. The fans are amazing, with a unique passion and support. I would also like to thank my team MM International Motorsport for the trust they have placed in me and for the work they do with real passion.”
What goal do you have? What are you aiming for in motorsports?
CUCCARESE: “My future goal is to race the fastest single seaters such as the F2 World Championship, Super Formula, IndyCar and maybe even F1.”
Shootingstar Massimiliano Cuccarese (Gymnasiast aus Pignola in Süditalien) hat beim letzten BOSS GP-Rennen in Assen ein fantastisches Debüt gefeiert. Vor seinem Heimrennen in Mugello erklärt uns der Fahrer des Teams MM International, warum ihn die BOSS GP Racing Series in seinen Bann gezogen hat.
Wann hast du mit dem Motorsport begonnen?
MAX CUCCARESE: „Ich habe mir MotoGP-Rennen im Fernsehen angesehen. Dadurch habe ich begonnen, mich für den Motorsport zu begeistern. Aber als ich erwachsen geworden bin, habe ich dann eher Autos bevorzugt, vor allem Formelautos.“
Assen im August 2024: Max Cuccareses Renndebüt im GP2
Wie war dein Weg vom Kartsport in die BOSS GP Racing Series?
CUCCARESE: „2020 habe ich (mit 13 Jahren, Anm.) mit Karts in der Juniorenkategorie IAME X30 in der regionalen Meisterschaft von Kampanien angefangen, aber wegen der COVID-Pandemie habe ich dann erst ein Jahr später mit dem Rennfahren begonnen und die Meisterschaft dann gleich auf Anhieb auf Platz 3 beendet, obwohl ich leider ein Rennen aus familiären Gründen verpasst hatte. 2021 fuhr ich zum ersten Mal in der Italienischen Meisterschaft und die WSK-Euroserie in Sarno in der Kategorie OK Senior. Im folgenden Jahr wechselte ich zu den Monopostos und machte einige Tests mit der Formel 4 auf italienischen Rennstrecken. 2023 wechselte ich in die Formel 3 und testete zuerst einen Dallara F317. Anfang 2024 bin ich einen Test mit dem Dallara F320 gefahren, bevor ich im Juni in den GP2 von MM International Motorsport gewechselt bin.“
Kannst du uns die Eindrücke deines ersten Rennwochenendes in der BOSS GP Racing Series beschreiben?
CUCCARESE: „Bei meinem ersten Rennen mit diesem Auto, es war nach einiger Zeit wieder mein erstes Rennen, und ohne die Strecke zu kennen, wusste ich nicht, was ich zu erwarten hatte. Aber sobald ich im Freien Training auf die Strecke ging, hatte ich sofort ein hervorragendes Gefühl und mit der harten Arbeit aller Teammitglieder wurde mir klar, dass wir den Speed haben, um in beiden Rennen auf das Podium zu fahren. Als ich die Ziellinie von Rennen 1 auf Platz 2 überquerte, war ich sehr emotional und habe mich für mich und das ganze Team gefreut.“
Erstes Rennen, erstes Podium: Max (li.) wird in Assen Zweiter, hinter Simone Colombo (mi.) und vor Marco Ghiotto (re.)
Wie gefällt dir das Umfeld in der BOSS GP?
CUCCARESE: „Es ist ein sehr angenehmes Umfeld, es herrscht ein großer Respekt zwischen allen Fahrern und Teams auf und neben der Strecke. Die Fans sind fantastisch, mit einer einzigartigen Leidenschaft und Unterstützung. Ich möchte mich auch bei meinem Team MM International Motorsport für das Vertrauen bedanken, das sie in mich gesetzt haben und für die Arbeit, die sie mit echter Leidenschaft machen.“
Welches Ziel hast du? Was strebst du im Motorsport an?
CUCCARESE: „Mein Ziel ist es, die schnellsten Formelrennwagen zu fahren wie die F2-Weltmeisterschaft, Super Formula, IndyCar und vielleicht sogar die F1.“
Shootingstar Massimiliano Cuccarese (liceale di Pignola in Basilicata) ha fatto un fantastico debutto in BOSS GP durante il weekend ad Assen. Prima della sua gara di casa al Mugello il pilota della squadra MM International ci spiega il fascino della BOSS GP Racing Series.
Quando hai cominciato col motor sport?
MAX CUCCARESE: „Ho seguito la MotoGP in TV. Così cominciavo a entusiasmarmi del motor sport. Con gli anni però ho preferito le auto da corsa, soprattutto le monoposto.”
Assen, agosto 2024: Max Cuccarese al debutto in GP2
Raccontaci il tuo percorso dal Kart alla BOSS GP Racing Series
CUCCARESE: „Nel 2020 (all’età di 13 anni, ndr) ho cominciato a correre nel campionato regionale della Campagna nella categoria Junior IMAE X30 a causa della pandemia COVID il mio debutto nel mondo delle corse è arrivato con un anno di ritardo e ho finito il campionato in terza posizione nonostante il fatto ero costretto a rinunciare a una gara per motivi familiari. Nel 2021 ho partecipato al Campionato Italiano per la prima volta e anche nel WSK-Euroserie a Sarno nella categoria OK Senior. L’anno seguente ho fatto il passo in monoposto con alcune sessioni di test in Formula 4 su varie piste italiane. Nel 2023 ho provato una Dallara F317 e inizio 2024 ho fatto un test con una Dallara F320 prima di fare il prossimo salto con la GP2 della MM International Motorsport in giugno.”
Potresti descriverci le tue sensazioni durante il primo weekend di gara nella BOSS GP Racing Series?
CUCCARESE: CUCCARESE: „Onestamente non sapevo cosa mi dovessi aspettare di questa prima gara con una nuova macchina senza conoscere il circuito e dopo un periodo senza gare. Tuttavia dopo i primi giri nelle prove libere avevo una sensazione positiva e grazie al duro lavoro di tutto i membri del team ero convinto che saremo pronti a lottare per le posizioni da podio in gara. Quando ho visto la bandiera a scacchi in seconda posizione in gara 1, mi sono emozionato e ero molto contento per l’intero team.”
Prima gara, primo podio: Max (sin.) giunge secondo a Assen, dietro a Simone Colombo e davanti a Marco Ghiotto
Come ti piace l’ambiente in Boss GP?
CUCCARESE: „E‘ un ambiente molto piacevole, c‘è tanto di rispetto tra tutti i piloti e team, sia in pista sia nel paddock. Gli appassionati sono fantastici con una passione unica e un grande appoggio. Vorrei ringraziare la MM International Motorsport per la fiducia e per il lavoro svolto con immensa passione.”
Qual è il tuo obiettivo? A che cosa aspiri nel motorsport?
CUCCARESE: „Il mio obiettivo è prendere il volante delle più veloci auto di Formula come le F2, Super Formula, IndyCar e magari persino una Formula 1.”
95,000 fans saw the City Showrun on Thursday as an appetiser in the centre of Assen and another three days of great racing on the TT Circuit. The championship remains wide open after round 4 in the Netherlands.
In addition to Formula 1 star David Coulthard, BOSS GP driver Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Team Top Speed) attracted a lot of attention when he accelerated his Toro Rosso STR1 next to the canal and then skilfully performed a few pirouettes. Gerstl’s team-mate Erich Zech attracted similar attention when he drove his roaring 1997 Ferrari Formula 1 around the 4.555-kilometre track during the demo runs.
The City Show Run in the centre of Assen was a blast
F1
It was also Gerstl who won both races in the F1 class and set the lap record on the legendary MotoGP circuit with a lap time of 1:16.791 in qualifying. Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) finished second twice, which was enough to keep him at the top of the standings. The Benetton driver goes into the race in Mugello with a 44-point lead, which is also the last chance for the Formula 1 cars to score points this year. Due to the track licence, only the OPEN, FORMULA and SUPER LIGHTS classes are eligible to start at the grand finale in Misano.
Ulf Ehninger celebrates 2nd place twicein BOSS GP’s F1 category
FORMULA
After Juju Noda (MM International) not only secured her first pole position at the Red Bull Ring, but also won a BOSS GP race for the first time, the 17-year-old Japanese driver followed this up with another pole position in Assen. However, Noda found herself behind her team-mate on the way to turn 1. It was then a close call with Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), who squeezed past Noda on the inside of turn 1. While Noda lost places at the start, Michael Fischer (AUT, Red Rosa Racing by LRT) made up positions at the back of the field. After a technical failure in qualifying, he made up 13 places in the race compared to the starting grid and ultimately finished fourth in the FORMULA classification.
Simone Colombo wins race 1
While Colombo controlled the pace at the front and took his fifth win of the season, newcomer Max Cuccarese (ITA, MM International) surprised everyone with a confident drive and second place in his very first race in a GP2 car. The youngest driver in the field confirmed this performance on Sunday with another podium finish (3rd). Marco Ghiotto scored the same number of points as Cuccarese with 3rd and 2nd place.
Two BOSS GP youngsters: race winner Juju Noda (18 years) with Max Cuccarese (17 yrs.)
Noda made a much better start in the second race, enabling her to defend her lead over Colombo. As the two MM drivers in their GP2 Dallara looked set for another duel this season, Colombo retired. As this happened in the first half of the race, the defending champion was only awarded half points instead of full points. The third retirement of the season was another setback for the fast Italian in the battle for the championship title. Marco Ghiotto remains in the lead. The 2019-2021 champion is scoring points with consistency and is now 22 points ahead of his compatriot Colombo.
Marco Ghiotto drives by the fans in the grandstand
Martin Kindler (SUI) also left Assen with a smile on his face. The Swiss returnee to the series not only qualified for Q1 (top five in free practice), but also delivered two strong results with 6th and 5th place. Andreas Fiedler (GER) was able to put the problems of the last races behind him and scored twice with 7th and 6th places, while Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) was able to regain his old form in the races after a mixed training session and finished 8th twice in the fiercely contested FORMULA class. After an accident in the first race, Phil Stratford’s (Scuderia Palladio) team was able to repair the car for the second race and the American finished the second race in 7th place.
Stephan Glaser is the front-runner in this year’s SUPER LIGHTS championship
SUPER LIGHTS
Stephan Glaser (SUI, Jo Zeller Racing) was once again unbeatable for his rivals. With wins number 5 and 6 this season, the BOSS GP rookie extended his lead in the championship to 34 points. While race 1 in this class was a smooth affair, race 2 was particularly remarkable. Firstly, Glaser parked his car at the side of the track on the last lap. Second-placed Stefan Scho (GER) was unable to capitalise on this, however, as he also stopped with technical problems on the final lap. Henry Clausnitzer (GER, WF Racing) was already two laps down after going off track into the gravel on lap 1 and was also unable to capitalise on this. This meant that the order on the podium on Saturday and Sunday was Glaser ahead of Scho and Clausnitzer. In addition to Stephan Glaser and Henry Clausnitzer, a third driver, Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (AUT, Red Rose Racing), is still in contention for the championship title despite a challenging weekend for him.
Podium ceremony in the SUPER LIGHTS category: from left Scho, Glaser and Clausnitzer with the Jack’s Racing Day grid girls
Races 9 and 10 of the season will take place on 12 and 13 October 2024 in Mugello. All four classes of the BOSS GP Racing Series can be seen and heard for the last time all together this season as part of the PNK Racing Weekend.
Pictures: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP
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