Tag: FP

Report: Free Practice Spa

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Keke Platzer - 5, General

Here we go: The BOSS GP Racing Series has started its race weekend in Spa.

Two free practice sessions were on the schedule for BOSS GP on day 1 of the 2-day event with the DTM in Spa. On such a difficult and long racetrack, every lap counts and therefore the drivers and teams used every opportunity to prepare for tomorrow’s race day.

Several BOSS GP drivers have not driven at Spa for a long time, some even compete on the Formula 1 circuit for the very first time. It is even more remarkable that, apart from a few breaking lockups, both practice sessions were completed without major incidents. Only Riccardo Ponzio (ITA, Adriatica Racing) had an accident in Eau Rouge due to a technical defect in his Jaguar R3. His team is working hard to be able to compete in tomorrow’s qualifying.

Fastest today was Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in the Toro Rosso STR1 with a time of 2:04.369. Best FORMULA driver was Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) ahead of Marc Faggionato (MCO, Top Speed) and Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International). The three pilots are also considered as favourites for tomorrow’s class win. FORMULA champion Ghiotto also completed the most laps (20) today.

Despite significantly fewer laps Roman Hoffmann (AUT, Team Hoffmann), team boss and driver in one, burned the sixth fastest overall time into the asphalt today, ahead of the experienced Florian Schnitzenbaumer (GER, Top Speed), who is sitting in the cockpit of a GP2 Dallara for the first time this year at a race. Also back is Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing), who is driving in an unusual black car. We expect a significant increase of his performance tomorrow.

The qualifying starts tomorrow Sunday at 9:45 am. With 40 minutes, the session is longer than usual, giving all BOSS GP drivers more opportunities to set their best times. Race 1, usually lasting over 20 minutes, will follow at lunchtime at 12:05, race 2 (25 minutes race length) at the conclusion of the DTM event at 16:05. This time, all three sessions can be followed in the free livestream at www.bossgp.com/livestream.

Report: Free Practice Imola

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General, Uncategorized

With speeds over 190 miles per hour, Formula 1 and Formula 2 are back in Imola.

The BOSS GP Grande Final is under way: After a year’s interruption, Europe’s fastest racing series is back on track at the legendary Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. For most BOSS GP drivers, the former Formula 1 circuit is no unknown, although the limited practice time was used extensively by the drivers on Friday.

Fastest of the two combined practice sessions was Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) with a time of 1:27.703. Gerstl also set the speed record on day 1 in his Toro Rosso powered by a V10 Cosworth engine with a speed of 310 km/h before braking for the first corner. Also in good shape is Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom) in his Benetton Formula 1. After a two-race break, he set the fastest time in the first free practice on his favourite track. Because Ulf Ehninger (DEU, ESBA Racing) returns this time too, we even see two light blue Benetton from 1997.

Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) seems to be motivated by numerous fans this weekend. Today he was the fastest FORMULA pilot and thus also faster than the two title candidates Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio). However, both qualified safely for Qualifying 1.

Otherwise this Friday didn’t bring any big surprises. Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag) in the only Auto GP car lost his car on oil in the first practice session, Armando Mangini spun into the rail during FP2 and “Piter” (FRA, Ray-Ban) had to get out of his smoking car. All three can participate tomorrow. The qualifying starts Saturday at 10:50 a.m., the 11th race of the season starts shortly before 4 p.m.

Report: Freies Training Imola

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

Mit Geschwindigkeiten über 300 Stundenkilometer sind Formel 1 und Formel 2 zurück in Imola.

Das BOSS GP Grande Finale hat begonnen: Nach einem Jahr Unterbrechung ist Europas schnellste Rennserie wieder am legendären Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola am Start. Für die meisten Fahrer der BOSS GP ist die ehemalige Formel-1-Rennstrecke keine Unbekannte, dennoch wurde die begrenzte Trainingszeit von den Fahrern am Freitag ausgiebig genutzt.

Schnellster der beiden kombinierten Trainingssitzungen war Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) mit einer Zeit von 1:27.703. Gerstl stellte in seinem Toro-Rosso mit V10-Cosworth-Triebwerk mit 310 km/h vor dem Anbremsen zur ersten Kurve auch den Geschwindigkeitsrekord an Tag 1 auf. Ebenfalls gut in Schuss ist Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom) im Benetton-Formel-1. Nach zwei Rennen Pause fuhr er auf seiner Lieblingsstrecke gleich einmal Bestzeit im ersten Freien Training. Weil Ulf Ehninger (DEU, ESBA Racing) dieses Mal auch wieder am Start ist, sehen wir sogar zwei hellblaue Benetton von 1997.

Beflügelt von zahlreichen Fans an diesem Wochenende scheint Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) zu sein. Er war heute schnellster FORMULA-Pilot und damit auch schneller als die zwei Titelkandidaten Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) und Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio). Beide qualifizierten sich aber sicher fürs Qualifying 1.

Ansonsten lieferte der Freitag keine großen Überraschungen. Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag) im einzigen Auto GP rutschte im ersten Training auf einer Ölspur aus, Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International) drehte sich im zweiten Training in die Bande. Beide können aber am ersten Renntag morgen teilnehmen. Los geht’s am Samstag um 10:50 Uhr mit dem Qualifying, der Rennstart zum 11. Saisonrennen erfolgt um kurz vor 16 Uhr.

Report: Free Practice Brno

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

Christopher Höher followed by Alessandro Bracalente (both Dallara Mecachrome)

The Masaryk Racing Days kicked off with roaring engines.

Friday is the usual practice day – that means two 30-minute track sessions for the high-speed monsters of BOSS GP. The fastest driver on the first day of the Masaryk Racing Days in Brno was Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in his 2006 Toro Rosso Formula 1 car. Gerstl set a superb time of 1:36,368 in his first fast lap of the day, just one second above last year’s lap record (1:35,155). A new track record is targeted but could be prevented by the forecast rainy weather tomorrow.

An Austrian was also fastest in the FORMULA category: Christopher Höher (AUT, Top Speed) is making his BOSS GP comeback this weekend. The 22-year-old is no unknown in racing, he already competed in the ADAC GT Masters and is multiple Austrian racing car champion. He has also left his mark with successes in the BOSS GP. In practice, Höher blasted a lap with 1:43.906 which was more than one and a half seconds faster than the second fastest Formula 2. For Bracalente, Fiedler & Co. he will be hard to crack this weekend. Höher also drives in memory of his recently passed away father. A special design on the Dallara Mecachrome is reminiscent in honour of the biggest supporter of his motorsport career.

Leader of the standings Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) nevertheless experienced a good training day, also because he, unlike his title opponent Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), remained without a spin. While Bracalente qualified for Q1, Ghiotto must qualify in Q2. Whether it is an advantage, or a disadvantage will be proven tomorrow in qualifying at 10 am.

Third fastest FORMULA driver in the free practice sessions was Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag). Last year’s winner in his art car will certainly be one of the promising candidates for a trophy this year as well. Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) rolled out to the start-finish line in the second practice session, nevertheless he also qualified for Q1 with the fourth fastest FORMULA time. Back in the BOSS GP is Florian Schnitzenbaumer (DEU, Top Speed). The 2018 FORMULA Champion is only occasionally at the start this year, with the sixth fastest time he proved that he would like to have a say about the podium places on Saturday and Sunday.

Most BOSS GP pilots used the test day on Thursday to prepare for the weekend. For Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Top Speed) the race weekend was over before it even began. Problems with the engine could not be solved on site. Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International) is also missing. He is recovering from an operation and supports his team mates on site. Still, tomorrow 15 motivated drivers go into the first race day. Qualifying starts at 10 am, followed by the first race at 2:50 pm.

Report Free Practice Assen

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

Here we go: Day 1 for BOSS GP in the Netherlands!

Two half-hour practice sessions were held on the first race day in the Netherlands. The driving time was used extensively by the 17 pilots, some of them completed over 35 laps. The BOSS GP pilots gathered experience for the remaining weekend, although according to the weather forecast it could rain tomorrow as opposed to today.

The fastest time was once again set by Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed), who even beat his own track record in the Toro Rosso STR1 with a time of 1:18.246. It was also the Austrian who, together with Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center), represented the BOSS GP at yesterday’s show run in the city centre of Assen. On the “Coulthard Road”, BOSS GP showed what 800 hp are capable of. Over 200 kph and “donuts” on public roads delighted the approximately 20,000 fans.

Back to the Friday practice sessions: Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) set the tone for the FORMULA cars. The leader of the standings underlined his favourite role for qualifying tomorrow morning (Saturday, 10:50 a.m.) with the best time in the class of FORMULA cars. Second fastest FORMULA driver today: Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) ahead of Bracalente, who is obviously trying to recover from Monza’s messed up weekend. Today’s fourth best time brings him into the top 5 and thus into Q1.

The biggest surprises of today’s practice day were Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center) and Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center). Göllner finished fifth with 1:29.729 in the Free Practice 2, Haezebrouck sixth with 1:29.8. Also “Piter” (FRA, Ray-Ban) was able to impress and could play a bigger role in the midfield this time than in previous races.

For BOSS GP this race weekend will kick-off second half of the season. After Hockenheim, Red Bull Ring and Monza the races 7 (Saturday, 17:10) and 8 (Sunday, 11:50) will take place in Assen. Tickets are still available on site.

Report: Freies Training Assen

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

Es geht los: der BOSS GP in den Niederlanden!

Zwei halbstündige Trainings standen am ersten Renntag in den Niederlanden am Plan. Die Fahrzeit wurde von den 17 Piloten ausgiebig genützt, von einigen wurden über 35 Runden abgespult. Damit sammelten die BOSS GP-Piloten Erfahrungswerte für das weitere Wochenende, wenngleich es morgen laut Wetterbericht im Unterschied zu heute regnen könnte.

Die schnellste Zeit setzte wieder einmal Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed), der im Toro Rosso STR1 mit 1:18.246 sogar seinen eigenen Streckenrekord unterbot. Der Österreicher war es auch, der gemeinsam mit Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) den BOSS GP beim gestrigen Showrun in der Innenstadt von Assen vertrat. Auf der „Coulthard Road“ zeigte BOSS GP, was 800 PS im Stande sind zu leisten. Über 200 km/h und „Donuts“ im Ortsgebiet waren nur ausnahmsweise erlaubt und erfreuten die rund 20.000 Fans.

Zurück zu den Freitagstrainings: Den Ton bei den FORMULA-Autos gab Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) an. Der Tabellenführer untermauerte seine Favoritenrolle für das Qualifying morgen Vormittag (Samstag, 10:50 Uhr) mit der Bestzeit in der Gruppe der FORMULA-Boliden. Zweitschnellster FORMULA-Fahrer heute: Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) vor Bracalente, der sichtlich bemüht ist, das verkorkste Wochenende von Monza wieder gut zu machen. Die viertbeste Zeit von heute Freitag bringt ihn unter die Top-5 und damit in Q1.

Die größten Überraschungen des heutigen Trainingstages lieferten Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center) und Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center). Göllner wurde mit 1:29.729 im 2. Freien Training sogar Fünfter, Haezebrouck mit 1:29.8 Sechster. Überzeugen konnte auch „Piter“ (FRA, Ray-Ban), der im Mittelfeld dieses Mal eine größere Rolle spielen könnte als bei den vorigen Rennen.

Für den BOSS GP geht’s an diesem Rennwochenende in die zweite Saisonhälfte. Nach Hockenheim, Red Bull Ring und Monza finden in Assen die Saisonläufe 7 (Samstag, 17:10 Uhr) und 8 (Sonntag, 11:50 Uhr) statt. Tickets sind noch an der Tageskassa erhältlich.

Report: Freies Training Hockenheim

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

Alessandro Bracalente, Speed Center Dallara GP2 skipping through the rain

Zwei halbstündige Trainingseinheiten standen an Tag 1 beim Jim Clark Revival in Hockenheim am Programm.

Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) setzte im Toro Rosso STR1 die Bestzeit am heutigen Trainingsfreitag. Bei immer besser werdenden Bedingungen nutzte der Rekord-Champion am Nachmittag die Gunst der Minute und wenig Verkehr, und fuhr mit 1:33.647 min die beste Zeit des Tages. Nicht nur einmal ließ er mit seinem V10-Cosworth den Lärmpegel in den Grenzbereich ausschlagen.

Einen guten Eindruck hinterließ Debütant Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center). Im ersten, verregneten Training fuhr Bracalente sogar Bestzeit, im zweiten reihte er sich hinter Gerstl auf Rang 2. Damit ist der junge Italiener einer der Top-Favoriten auf die Poleposition in der FORMULA-Klasse im morgigen Qualifying (10:10 Uhr Ortszeit).

Phil Stratford musste auf den für ihn ungewohnten GP2-Wagen umsteigen

Ebenfalls stark präsentierten sich Marco und Sergio Ghiotto (beide ITA, Scuderia Palladio). Das Brüderpaar war in beiden halbstündigen Trainings in den vorderen Rängen zu finden. Mit Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) brachte sich ein weiterer Italiener in eine gute Position fürs Zeittraining. Sein erfahrener Teamkollege Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International) fuhr in FP2 die viertschnellste Zeit.

Salvadore de Plano (ITA) fährt heuer im Team Top Speed. Das erste Training ließ de Plano aus, im zweiten Training fuhr der schnelle Italiener auf den achten Rang. Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom Racing) war Gesamt-Neunter in Training 2. Der Vizemeister von 2018 muss allerdings auf einen Einsatz in seinem Benetton B197 verzichten. Aufgrund von Problemen am Judd-Motor fährt Startford in Hockenheim in einem GP2-Dallara mit dem Formel-1-Judd-Motor.Einen legendären Benetton-Formel-1 von 1997 sollten die Fans am Hockenheimring trotzdem zu sehen bekommen: Ulf Ehninger (DEU, ESBA-Racing) gibt sein BOSS GP-Debüt in einem solchen Boliden. Im zweiten Training verunfallte Ehninger ausgangs der ersten Kurve. Beim Einschlag in die Streckenbegrenzung an der Innenseite wurden Front- und Heckflügel des hellblauen Formel 1 beschädigt; der Fahrer kam mit dem Schrecken davon.

Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Inter Europol) war mehrmals neben der Strecke unterwegs, konnte aber mit seinen Zeiten beim Comeback in der BOSS GP durchaus zufrieden sein. Walter Steding (DEU, Inter Europol), Thomas Jakoubek (AUT, Top Speed), Christian Eicke (SUI, Speed Center) und „Piter“ (FRA, Ray-Ban) drehten fleißig ihre Runden. Von diesen Piloten ist morgen noch eine deutliche Steigerung zu erwarten.

Der Regen fordert die Fahrer in ihren PS-starken Boliden heraus

Das erste Training war geprägt vom Regen und einigen Unterbrechungen, u.a. rutschte Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) ins Kiesbett. Alle Dreher gingen aber glimpflich aus. Trotz der schwierigen Bedingungen waren viele Fahrer bemüht, Kilometer auf den Pirelli Cinturato Regenreifen zu sammeln. Für morgen ist zwar eine leichte Wetterbesserung angekündigt, für Sonntag allerdings Starkregen.

Der gelbe Jordan von Gerd Thöny bleibt dieses Mal in der Box, Verzögerungen bei der Lizenzvergabe machen einen Start im Formel-1-Auto für den Liechtensteiner erst zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt möglich. Damit sind für morgen 14 Fahrzeuge in der FORMULA-Klasse und 3 OPEN-Autos angemeldet.

Report: Free Practice Hockenheim

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

Two half-hour practice sessions were held on day 1 at the Jim Clark Revival in Hockenheim.

Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) sets the best time in the Toro Rosso STR1 on Friday. With conditions getting better and better, the multiple champion used the favor of the minute and little traffic and drove with 1:33.647 the best time of the day. Not only once he did push the noise level to the extreme with his V10-Cosworth.

It was debutant Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) who made a good impression. In the first, rainy practice session Bracalente set the best time, in the second he ranked second behind Gerstl. This makes the young Italian one of the top favourites for pole position in the FORMULA class in tomorrow’s qualifying (10:10 a.m. local time).

Phil Stratford had to switch to the unfamiliar GP2 car

Marco and Sergio Ghiotto (both ITA, Scuderia Palladio) also presented themselves strongly. The brothers were in the top ranks in both half hour trainings. With Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) another Italian put himself in a good position for qualifying. His experienced team mate Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International) drove the fourth fastest time in FP2.

Salvadore de Plano (ITA) drives for team Top Speed this year. De Plano missed out the first practice session, in the second session the fast Italian finished eighth. Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom Racing) was ninth overall in training 2. Due to problems with the Judd engine in his Benetton, Startford drives a GP2 Dallara with a Formula 1 Judd engine on board. Ulf Ehninger instead drives the legendary Benetton Formula 1 from 1997: Ehninger (DEU, ESBA-Racing) makes his BOSS GP debut this weekend. In second practice he had an accident at the exit of the first corner. The front and rear wings of the light blue Formula 1 were damaged during the impact into the barrier on the inside; the driver escaped with no injuries.

Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Inter Europol) was off the track several times, but was quite satisfied with his times at the comeback in the BOSS GP. Walter Steding (DEU, Inter Europol), Thomas Jakoubek (AUT, Top Speed), Christian Eicke (SUI, Speed Center) and “Piter” (FRA, Ray-Ban) did plenty of laps. These pilots are expected to make a significant improvement tomorrow.

The first training was characterized by rain and some interruptions, among others Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) slipped into the gravel bed. But all spins went off without major damage. Despite the difficult conditions many drivers tried to gain kilometres on the Pirelli Cinturato rain tyres. For tomorrow a slight weather improvement is announced, but for Sunday heavy rain is expected.

Gerd Thöny’s yellow Jordan will remain in the pits this time, delays in the getting a race licence will make it impossible for Thöny to start in Hockenheim. This means that 14 cars in the FORMULA class and 3 OPEN cars are on the grid tomorrow.

Report: Training & Qualifying Spielberg

Posted on September 22, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

Die schnellste Rennserie Europas bringt den Spaß des Rennsports zurück an den Red Bull Ring. Die Startaufstellung wurde aufgrund des Regens schon gestern ausgefahren.

Der Samstag begann wie vorhergesagt pitschepatschenass. Auch bei schwierigen Bedingungen gingen die brachialen BOSS GP-Boliden auf die Strecke (erstmals auch im Livestream). Die Rennleitung entschied aus Sicherheitsgründen, das Zeittraining als 3. Freies Training auszufahren und die Startaufstellung aus den kombinierten Zeiten von FP1 und FP2 aufzustellen.

Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed, Toro Rosso STR1) holte auch beim siebenten Saisonrennen zum siebenten Mal Position 1 im Qualifying. Vom ersten zum zweiten Training steigerte er sich um mehr als dreieinhalb Sekunden. Mit 1:12.082 min lag er gestern aber noch weit hinter den Zeiten vom Mai, wo der Lokalmatador schon an der 1:10er-Marke gekratzt hatte. Im Regen war Dominator Gerstl im Formel-1-Auto gar nur Fünfter, was ihn selbst überraschte: „Vielleicht passt was an der Zeitnehmung nicht“, schmunzelte der bereits vor den Finalrennen an diesem Wochenende feststehende BOSS GP-Meister 2018.

Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom, Benetton B197) klagte im ersten Training über technische Probleme und für ihn verkürzte Fahrzeit. Im 2. Training reihte er sich aber locker auf den zweiten Gesamtrang. Den Regen am heutigen Vormittag nützte er für Trainingskilometer. Der in Kalifornien lebende Stratford hat kaum Regenerfahrung, kündigte für die Rennen aber an: „Sollte es regnen, fahre ich trotzdem!“

Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International, Dallara GP2) überraschte alle: Der Italiener mit Formel-3-Erfahrung darf als schnellster FORMULA-Pilot des Freitags diese Klasse ins Rennen führen. Im Regentraining setzte Martucci die Bestzeit, damit bringt er sich in die Favoritenrolle heute Nachmittag (Startzeit: 16:00 Uhr, auch im Livestream).

Luca Martucci was once off track, but very quick in dry and rain

Luca Martucci war einmal abseits der Piste, aber sowohl im Trockenen als auch im Nassen schnell

Aus Startreihe 2 fährt Salvatore De Plano (ITA, Top Speed, Dallara GP2) los. Der Italiener muss an diesem Wochenende von seinem Stammteam MM International zu Top Speed ausweichen. Bei MM International waren dieses Mal alle Autos vermietet. Bei Top Speed bot man dem flotten Italiener ein Ausweichquartier an, er dankte es mit einem gelungenen Freitag.

Florian Schnitzenbaumer (DEU, Top Speed, Dallara GP2) startet aus Reihe 3 und damit auch direkt vor seinem einzig verbliebenen Konkurrenten um die Meisterschaft: Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing, Dallara GP2). Schnitzenbaumer hat sich vorgenommen, achtsam in das heutige Rennen zu gehen und im Idealfall bereits heute den Titel klarzumachen.

Championship duel between Florian Schnitzenbaumer (l.) and Andreas Fiedler (r.)

Duell um die Meisterschaft in der FORMULA: Florian Schnitzenbaumer (l.) und Andreas Fiedler (r.)

Zwischen Schnitzenbaumer und Fiedler steht noch Marco Ghiotto (ITA, MRC Sport, Dallara GP2), der damit das Bruderduell mit Sergio (ITA, MM International, Dallara GP2) gewann. Sergio Ghiotto startet von Rang 10. Im samstägigen Regen zeigte er mit Platz 2 aber, dass auch er noch Potenzial nach vorne hat. Gianluca Ripoli (ITA, MM International, Dallara GP2) geht von Rang 8 ins Rennen, Newcomer Alain Valente (SUI, Speed Center, Dallara GP2) von Rang 9.

Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center, Dallara GP2), der in den letzten drei Rennen zweimal am Podest stand, geht gemeinsam mit Teamkollege Christian Eicke (DEU, Dallara GP2) aus Reihe 6 ins Rennen. Hans Laub startet mit seinem Formel-1-Forti in Mitten des FORMULA-Feldes von Position 13. Walter Steding (DEU, Inter Europol, Dallara GP2) startet von 14. Eicke, Steding und Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International, Lola F3000) kämpfen noch um Rang 3 in der Meisterschaft. Mangini geht mit einem Nachteil ins Rennen, denn er startet als einziger in einem Formel 3000 und war gestern weit hinter seinen unmittelbaren Kontrahenten.

Probleme für Thomas Jakoubek am Freitag

Für Thomas Jakoubek (AUT, Top Speed, Dallara GP2) war gestern nach einem Getriebeschaden schon vorzeitig Schluss. Verzichten müssen wir leider auch auf den zweiten Toro Rosso von Top Speed. Frits van Eerd musste kurzfristig absagen, Ersatzfahrer Markus Lehmann war nur im ersten Training unterwegs.

Fotos: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Report: Practice & Qualifying Spielberg

Posted on September 22, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

The fastest racing series in Europe brings the fun of racing back to the Red Bull Ring. The start grid for both races was already set up yesterday due to the bad weather conditions today.

Saturday started as predicted very wet. Even in difficult conditions the brute BOSS GP bolides were on the track. For safety reasons the race control decided to run the timed practice as 3rd free practice and to set up the starting grid from the combined times of FP1 and FP2.

Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed, Toro Rosso STR1) took first position in qualifying for the seventh time in the seventh race meeting of the season. From the first to the second practice he improved by more than three and a half seconds. With 1:12.082 min yesterday he was still far behind the times of May, when the local hero had already scratched the 1:10 mark. In the rain, dominator Gerstl was only fifth in the Formula 1 car, which surprised him: “Maybe there’s something wrong with the timing,” smiled Gerstl, who had already been confirmed BOSS GP Champion 2018 before the final races this weekend.

Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom, Benetton B197) complained about technical problems in the first practice session and a reduced driving time for him. But in the 2nd practice he easily finished second overall. He used the rain this morning for training kilometers. Stratford, who lives in California, has hardly any rain experience, but announced for the races: “Should it rain, I’ll drive”.

Luca Martucci was once off track, but very quick in dry and rain

Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International, Dallara GP2) surprised everyone: The Italian with Formula 3 experience is the fastest FORMULA driver of Friday and will lead this class into the race. In the rain practice Martucci set the best time, so he is the favourite this afternoon (starting time: 16:00, also in the Live stream).

Salvatore De Plano (ITA, Top Speed, Dallara GP2) starts from row 2. The Italian this weekend has to switch from his regular team MM International to Top Speed. At MM International all cars were rented this time. At Top Speed they offered the fast Italian an alternative home, he thanked it with a successful Friday.

Championship duel between Florian Schnitzenbaumer (l.) and Andreas Fiedler (r.)

Florian Schnitzenbaumer (DEU, Top Speed, Dallara GP2) starts from row 3 and thus directly ahead of his only remaining competitor for the championship: Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing, Dallara GP2). Schnitzenbaumer has set himself the goal to enter today’s race attentively and ideally to make the title clear today.

Between Schnitzenbaumer and Fiedler stands Marco Ghiotto (ITA, MRC Sport, Dallara GP2), who won the brother duel with Sergio (ITA, MM International, Dallara GP2). Sergio Ghiotto starts from 10th place, but in Saturday’s rain he showed with second place that he still has potential for the front. Gianluca Ripoli (ITA, MM International, Dallara GP2) starts from 8th place, newcomer Alain Valente (SUI, Speed Center, Dallara GP2) from 9th place.

Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center, Dallara GP2), who has been on the podium twice in the last three races, will start from row 6 together with his team mate Christian Eicke (DEU, Dallara GP2). Hans Laub starts with his Formula 1 Forti in the middle of the FORMULA field from 13th position. Walter Steding (DEU, Inter Europol, Dallara GP2) starts from 14th. Eicke, Steding and Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International, Lola F3000) are still fighting for 3rd place in the championship. Mangini starts the race with a disadvantage, because he is the only one to start in a Formula 3000 and was far behind his immediate opponents yesterday.

Trouble for Thomas Jakoubek on Friday

For Thomas Jakoubek (AUT, Top Speed, Dallara GP2) it was already over yesterday after a gearbox damage. Unfortunately, we also have to miss out on the second Toro Rosso from Top Speed. Frits van Eerd had to cancel at short notice, substitute driver Markus Lehmann was only on the track in the first practice session.

Pictures: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP