The winners of the Nürburgring Classic were Ingo Gerstl, Francisco Soldavini, Michael Fischer, Paul O’Connell, Stefan Scho and Juju Noda.

All eyes were on the Williams F1 Team Heritage's BOSS GP debut. The legendary British racing team brought back the FW25 from the 2003 season for driver Phil Stratford. Twenty-three years after BMW-Williams' one-two finish courtesy of Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya, the winning car returned to the Nürburgring. However, the Grove-based team was still dealing with the project's teething problems on Friday and Saturday, before the car finally took to the track again on Sunday, make the Eifel region vibrate. Stratford started from the pit lane and was welcomed in his own unique way by record champion Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Team Top Speed). The V10 duo raced around the circuit for several laps in front of enthusiastic spectators on the pit roof and in the Mercedes Arena stands. Gerstl won on Sunday as well, following his victory in Saturday’s race. Stratford was overwhelmed by the experience and ultimately successful debut. An exhibition car, a BMW-Williams from 2000, was also on display. Good news: Williams F1 Team Heritage plans to compete in the upcoming race in France as well. 

But the other classes had plenty to offer, too. Francisco Soldavini (MM International) from Argentina impressed in the FORMULA class by securing pole position in only his second BOSS GP race weekend. In Race 1, he beat his team-mate and defending champion Simone Colombo (ITA), who had won at Hockenheim on Sunday. In Race 2, World Series driver Michael Fischer (AUT, Red Rose Racing by LRT) overtook the fastest Formula cars at the start. The Nürburgring specialist managed to hold off Colombo for a while, but the latter overtook Fischer in the early stages. Soldavini also quickly closed the gap and continued to pick up speed. While Fischer fell back due to worn tyres, Soldavini overtook Colombo in the battle for the FORMULA victory. The Argentinian won Race 2 too, and following his double retirement at Hockenheim, he made up valuable ground in the overall standings. Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Nardi Compressori Racing) finished third on both occasions, staying ahead of his teammate Thomas Zeltner (SUI), who closed the gap on his more experienced teammate once again. In the World Series class, Michael Fischer was unbeatable in the first race. In the second, however, he was unable to hold off Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering). O’Connell started the weekend poorly, but got back on track on Sunday and remains unassailable in the championship.

It was a dramatic turn of events for Stefan Eisinger-Sewald of Red Rose Racing by LRT. After finishing third on Saturday, the Austrian spun off-line in the final corner on Sunday, thereby losing what had seemed a certain place on the podium. F. Binder (AUT) from Team Top Speed was the beneficiary, taking home trophies from both the Nürburgring and Hockenheim.

Juju Noda (HS Engineering) made her BOSS GP comeback. The Japanese driver usually competes in Super Formula in her home country, and used the Nürburgring races to prepare for her next events. Her World Series V8 with a 4.5-litre engine falls into the OPEN category. After underperforming in qualifying, she dominated the races with ease, finishing ahead of the other World Series and GP2 cars.

The SUPER LIGHTS category was once again dominated by Stefan Scho (GER, Scho Racing), who had his 1991 Formula 3000 car under perfect control and won both races in commanding fashion, finishing ahead of his compatriot and friend, Jochem Sihorsch (LöSi Racing). Sihorsch was making his debut in the series and achieved two second-place finishes straight away. Jody Stadelmann's (SUI, Jogaz Team) participation in Formula Nippon is also a great asset to the championship. However, technical problems prevented him from demonstrating his full potential.

The next two BOSS GP races are scheduled for 3–5 July 2026. The championship's return to Magny-Cours in France will be a first for many. The former Formula 1 circuit will host the Racing Cup, featuring GT and truck racing, as well as the Big Open Single Seaters.

Photo: Jochen Merkle