Tag: Lotus

EN: 2024 season review F1 & OPEN

Posted on December 3, 2024 by - General

The championship title in the top class of Formula 1 cars went to Ulf Ehninger this year. In the OPEN cars, it was Antonio Pizzonia who defended his title.

This year there was a duel that has never been seen before in the Formula 1 World Championship: Benetton versus Toro Rosso, Ulf Ehninger versus Ingo Gerstl. It could also be described as a remote duel, especially as Gerstl (Team Top Speed) had to watch his opponent from pit wall on serveral occasions at the beginning of the year because of technical problems on his 2006 Toro Rosso. Ehninger (ESBA Racing) in the light blue 1997 Benetton with Judd engine took three victories in the first four races, while the Austrian Gerstl picked up in the second half of the season where he left off last year. With five wins in a row, things got tight again at the top of the standings towards the season finale. But just one race before the end, Ehninger secured the title early with a second place in the first race in Mugello. Luckily for the German, he retired in the second race. This is Ehninger’s second championship title in the BOSS GP Racing Series after his maiden success in 2021.

Many fans gather in front of the Top Speed Garage

At the beginning of the year, Thomas Jakoubek (Team Top Speed) also joined the grid with his beautiful Lotus T127 (from the 2010 Formula 1 season). The Austrian is set to make further starts next year. Just how important the Formula 1 cars are in the 30th year of the BOSS GP Racing Series was demonstrated by Ingo Gerstl’s appearance at the show run in the center of Assen, where the BOSS GP figurehead was joined by David Coulthard to promote the races.

Thomas Jakoubek at the BOSS GP premiere of his Lotus T127 at the Hockenheimring

In the OPEN class, which is positioned between Formula 1 and the GP2 and World Series cars in the FORMULA class, it was a solo race for Antonio Pizzonia (HS Engineering). Despite little competition for his World Series V8 4.5, the former Jaguar and Williams driver also had a lot of fun in his second year in the BOSS GP Racing Series, which he also shared with the cheering fans in the grandstands several times with donuts after the chequered flag.

Pizzonia celebrates victory at the Red Bull Ring to the delight of the spectators

For the Grande Finale in Misano, Pizzonia was faced with competition from within the team. Haralds Slegelmilhs, the 2022 OPEN champion, returned to BOSS GP. The two drivers from the Austrian team had a tough, but always fair, duel in both races. Because Pizzonia did not get off the line at the flying start in the first race, the Latvian Slegelmilhs was able to capitalize on this. It was the only race in which Pizzonia started and did not take full points. However, the Brazilian took his revenge on Sunday and reversed the order, with guest entrant Haralds Slegelmilhs taking the fastest race lap and a new lap record at the Misano World Circuit.

Antonio Pizzonia, chased by Haralds Slegelmilhs in Misano

The top 3 in each class will be honored on 7 December 2024 at the big Champions Night in Maria Alm in the Austrian mountains.

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

Pictures: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

DE: Saisonrückblick 2024 F1 & OPEN

Posted on December 3, 2024 by - General, Allgemein

Der Meistertitel in der Königsklasse der Formel-1-Boliden ging in diesem Jahr an Ulf Ehninger. Bei den OPEN-Boliden war es Antonio Pizzonia, der seinen Titel verteidigte.

In diesem Jahr gab es ein Duell, dass es so in der Formel-1-Weltmeisterschaft nie gab: Benetton gegen Toro Rosso, Ulf Ehninger gegen Ingo Gerstl. Man konnte es auch als Fernduell bezeichnen, musste vor allem Gerstl (Team Top Speed) Anfang des Jahres mit technischen Problemen an seinem 2006er-Toro-Rosso mehrfach zusehen. Ehninger (ESBA Racing) im hellblauen Benetton von 1997 mit Judd-Motor holte in den ersten vier Rennen drei Siege, während der Österreicher Gerstl in der zweiten Saisonhälfte dort anknüpfte, wo er in der Vorsaison aufgehört hat. Mit fünf Siegen en suite wurde es an der Tabellenspitze zum Saisonfinale nochmals eng. Doch bereits ein Rennen vor Schluss konnte sich Ehninger mit einem zweiten Rang im ersten Lauf in Mugello vorzeitig den Titel sichern. Glück für den Deutschen, denn im zweiten Lauf schied er aus. Für Ehninger ist es der zweite Meistertitel in der BOSS GP Racing Series nach dem Premierenerfolg im Jahr 2021.

Zahlreiche Fans tummeln sich vor der Top-Speed-Garage

Am Beginn des Jahres bereicherte auch Thomas Jakoubek (Team Top Speed) mit seinem schönen Lotus T127 (aus der Formel-1-Saison 2010) das Fahrerfeld. Nächstes Jahr sollen weitere Starts des Österreichs erfolgen. Wie wichtig die Formel-1-Boliden auch im 30. Jahr der BOSS GP Racing Series sind, zeigte u.a. Ingo Gerstls Auftritt beim Showrun in der Innenstadt von Assen, wo das BOSS GP-Aushängeschild zusammen mit David Coulthard die Werbetrommel rührte.

Thomas Jakoubek bei der Premiere des Lotus T127 am Hockenheimring

In der offenen Klasse, die zwischen den Formel 1 und den GP2- bzw. World-Series-Autos der FORMULA-Klasse angesiedelt ist, war es ein Solo für Antonio Pizzonia (HS Engineering). Der ehemalige Jaguar- und Williams-Pilot hatte auch in seinem zweiten Jahr in der BOSS GP Racing Series trotz wenig Konkurrenz für seinen World Series V8 4.5 viel Spaß, den er mit Donuts in der Auslaufrunde mehrmals auch mit den jubelnden Fans auf den Tribünen teilte.

Pizzonia feiert den Sieg am Red Bull Ring zur Freude der Zuschauer standesgemäß

Zum Grande Finale in Misano bekam Pizzonia stallintern Konkurrenz zur Seite gestellt. Mit Haralds Slegelmilhs war der OPEN-Meister des Jahres 2022 zur BOSS GP zurückgekehrt. Die beiden Fahrer des österreichischen Teams duellierten sich in beiden Rennen wenig zimperlich, aber immer fair. Weil Pizzonia im ersten Rennen beim fliegenden Start nicht vom Fleck kam, war der Lette Slegelmilhs in der Lage, daraus Profit zu ziehen. Es war das einzige Rennen, bei dem Pizzonia an den Start gegangen war und nicht die volle Punktzahl mitnahm. Doch der Brasilianer revanchierte sich am Sonntag und drehte die Reihenfolge wieder um, einzig die schnellste Rennrunde und damit auch einen neuen Rundenrekord am Misano World Circuit ließ sich Gastfahrer Haralds Slegelmilhs nicht nehmen.

Antonio Pizzonia, in Misano verfolgt von Haralds Slegelmilhs

Die Top-3 jeder Klasse werden am 7. Dezember 2024 bei der großen Champions Night in Maria Alm in den österreichischen Bergen geehrt.

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

Fotos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Review: Red Bull Ring 2024

Posted on July 2, 2024 by - 5, General

Legendary Formula 1 cars, iconic cars from movie heritage and motorsport at its finest with the BOSS GP Racing Series attracted around 15,000 spectators to the Red Bull Ring in June.

Over 200 automotive jewels lined up at the start line on the Red Bull Ring in the Austrian Alps. The highlight for many was once again the BOSS GP Racing Series races. 18 vehicles were entered and divided into four classes to allow a fair competition. During the pit walk, thousands of spectators crowded the pit lane to get up close to the BOSS GP cars and collect autographs from the drivers.

Public Pit Walks

F1 and OPEN

Austrian Ingo Gerstl (Team Top Speed) gave everything he had at his home race to get his Toro Rosso STR1 running after all. Rare technical problems with the Formula 1 car made it impossible for him to take part in the first race on Saturday. The 2006 car then ran on Sunday and Gerstl scored full points in BOSS GP’s F1 Class. It was Gerstl’s first win of the season in the sixth race of the season.

Ingo Gerstl celebrates his first victory of the season in style

Antonio Pizzonia (BRA, HS Engineering) started the race together with Gerstl from row 1 and the pair put on a powerful show at the front of the field. Pizzonia, who competes for the Austrian team HS Engineering with a 4-litre World Series, had secured overall victory on Saturday. At the end of the race, both thanked the spectators for coming with smoking “donuts”. They responded with a roaring round of applause from the stands.

After the next victory in the OPEN class for Antonio Pizzonia, everything looks set for a successful title defence for the ex-Formula 1 driver. Benetton driver Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) continues to lead the Formula 1 standings ahead of Ingo Gerstl.

Antonio Pizzonia leads the field on Saturday

FORMULA

Juju Noda (JPN, MM International) secured the first pole position of her still young BOSS GP career. However, the 18-year-old Japanese driver was penalised with a 30-second time penalty for an infringement during the start procedure in the first race. As a result, Noda, who also competes in the Japanese Super Formula, lost out on victory in Saturday’s race. Instead, team-mate Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) celebrated 25 points and the winner’s trophy for the fourth time in a row. Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) followed behind after a good race. His team-mate Phil Stratford (USA) completed the podium on his race comeback in the BOSS GP Racing Series. Due to a late safety car period, the field remained close together, with Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering) in the World Series Dallara also finishing less than two seconds off the podium. Roland Rupprechter (AUT, R&B Research and Wealth Management) followed in a strong fifth place.

Amazing battle through turn 1: Noda (le.) and Colombo (ri.) in front, followed closely by Fischer (le.) and Ghiotto (ri.)

Satisfaction for Juju Noda in the second race: She initially lost the lead to Simone Colombo, who put in a strong opening lap. However, before this duel came to a head, defending champion Colombo retired with a mechanical failure on the start-finish straight. Noda then also survived the restart after the SC phase and retained the lead ahead of Marco Ghiotto. Ghiotto took over the lead of the standings with another trouble-free drive and his fifth podium finish in a row.

Meanwhile, Noda celebrated her first victory in the BOSS GP Racing Series loudly alongside her team. The young Japanese driver is also the first woman to win a class in the 30-year history of the series. Rookie Michael Fischer (AUT, Red Rose Racing by LRT) delivered another showcase of talent with third place, while O’Connell again narrowly missed out on the podium in fourth place. Alexander Seibold (GER, Seibold auto+sport) finished fifth after a collision had slowed him down on Saturday. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) finished sixth ahead of Marco Minelli (ITA, AM Sport System), who was on the grid for the first time this year.

SUPER LIGHTS

Podium ceremony on Sunday: f. le. Eisinger-Sewald, Pizzonia, Fischer, Ghiotto, Noda, Clausnitzer and Glaser

As in Hockenheim, BOSS GP rookie Stephan Glaser (SUI) scored the maximum number of points twice in Spielberg. The driver from Jo Zeller Racing extended his lead in the standings. It was particularly close in the second race, where Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (AUT, Red Rose Racing) in his Ralt F3000 approached Glaser’s World Series V6 at the end. Eisinger-Sewald crossed the finish line in second place in his class both times in his home races. Henry Clausnitzer (GER, WF Racing), who finished third twice, is currently tied with Eisinger-Sewald in second place in the overall standings.

The Swiss Stephan Glaser won twice ahead of the Austrian Stefan Eisinger-Sewald

The next race will take place at the beginning of August (2nd-4th) in the Netherlands: At Jack’s Racing Day, series from various motorsport disciplins will delight more than 50,000 spectators at the TT Circuit Assen. A show run in the centre of Assen will warm up the fans on Thursday evening (1st).

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Preview: Brno

Posted on September 6, 2022 by - General

Next weekend (September 9–11) Europe’s fastest racing series, the BOSS GP Racing Series, returns from its summer break. Hosted by the Masaryk Racing Days at the Automotodrom in Brno.

The weekend of 9–11 September marks the start of the second half of the season for the BOSS GP Racing Series. After six races in Hockenheim, Spielberg and Le Castellet, six more races are scheduled in the next nine weeks in Brno, Mugello and Misano. Before the season ends in Italy, the unique mix of Big Open single-seaters in the Formula 1, Formula 2, World Series & Co. categories will head to Brno.

In the BOSS GP F1 Class, that is the classification for Formula 1 cars, four cars have been entered. Among them are three Toro Rossos, including the STR1 of championship leader Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed), who has won all races so far this season. In Sebastien Vettel’s premiere winning car, the Toro Rosso STR3 with a Ferrari engine, Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) wants to break this streak in Brno. Racing fans can especially look forward to a rare piece of motorsport history in the form of the green and yellow Lotus T127. The Formula 1 car from 2010 is equipped with a Cosworth V8 engine and will be entered by Team Top Speed. The ex-car of Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen is driven by Austrian Thomas Jakoubek.

In the absence of championship leader Zdenek Chovanec Lopez (PRT), FORMULA title defender Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) is aiming for his first win of the season. In the battle for the championship, however, Ghiotto’s compatriot Simone Colombo (MM International) could put himself in the best starting position. After three events, he is only twelve points behind Chovanec-Lopez, but already 35 ahead of Marco Ghiotto. Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International), who has won races with a GP2 in the past, has also been named. After a longer break from racing, he also wants to have a say in the fight for the podium.

In the BOSS GP SUPER LIGHTS, Alexander Geier (Geier Racing) in an older 2003 Tatuus-Renault and Andreas Hasler (Hasler Motorsport) will continue their inner-Austrian duel in the six-cylinder car class.

Entry list:

NummerNameNationTeamKlasseMarkeBaujahrModellMotor
1Ingo GerstlAUTTeam Top SpeedF1Toro Rosso2006F1 – STR1Cosworth TJ
2Florian SchnitzenbaumerGERTeam Top SpeedF1Toro Rosso2006F1 – STR1Cosworth TJ
15Thomas JackermeierGERTeam Top SpeedF1Toro Rosso2008F1 – TR3Ferrari 056
19Thomas JakoubekAUTTeam Top SpeedF1Lotus2010F1 – T127Cosworth CA
22Michael AbererAUTAM MotorsportFORMULADallara2005GP2Mecachrome
27Marco GhiottoITAScuderia PalladioFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
28Bruno JarachITAEesti MotorsportFORMULADallara2008GP2Mecachrome
32Simone ColomboITAMM InternationalFORMULADallara2017F2Mecachrome
37Luca MartucciITAMM InternationalFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
43Giancarlo PedettiITANannini RacingFORMULADallara2014GP2Mecachrome
44Thomas JakoubekAUTTeam Top SpeedFORMULADallara2008GP2Mecachrome
46Alexander SeiboldGERSeibold Auto + SportFORMULADallara2005GP2Mecachrome
47Walter StedingGERScuderia PalladioFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
87Salvatore de PlanoITAMM InternationalFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
66Andreas FiedlerGERFiedler RacingFORMULADallara2008GP2Mecachrome
77Francesco MalavasiITAScuderia PalladioFORMULADallara2011GP2Mecachrome
111Alexander GeierAUTGeier RacingSUPER LIGHTSTattus2003WSbRenaultRenault
115Andreas HaslerAUTHasler MotorsportSUPER LIGHTSDallara2009WSbNissanAER

Race track:

With a track length of 5.403 kilometres, the former MotoGP circuit is also the second longest circuit of the year after Circuit Paul Ricard (5.8 km long). Fast and fluid corners alternate with a technically demanding section. Engine power is also a decisive factor because the Czech rollercoaster goes steeply uphill in the last third of the track. Here you not only see what the cars are capable of, but also which driver can control his vehicle best.

Timetable (CEST):

Friday, 9 September 2022
12:35–13:05     Free Practice 1
15:35–16:05     Free Practice 2

Saturday, 10 September 2022
09:50–10:20     Qualifying
14:00–14:30     Race 1 (20 minutes)

Sunday, 11 September 2022
09:50–10:00     Warm-up
12:50–13:30     Race 2 (25 minutes)

Christopher Höher dedicate his win in Brno 2019 to his recently deceased father

Supporting program:

In addition to the headliner BOSS GP, other racing series will round off the programme from Friday to Sunday, including Drexler Formula Cup, ESET V4 Cup with the TCR Eastern Europe and Renault Clio Cup Bohemia and historic racing classes (HAIGO).

Tickets:

Children under 12 are admitted free of charge, day tickets are available for 13 euros, weekend tickets cost 17 euros. Parking at the open grandstands is free of charge. All tickets can be purchased at the box office on site.

Pictures: Angelo Poletto & Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP, Dirk Hartung/Autosport.at