Tag: Mugello

Report Qualifying Mugello

A thrilling duel for pole position between Faggionato and De Lorenzi.

It had rained on Saturday morning, so qualifying was not divided into two groups as usual, rather it was open to everyone straight away. This ensured fair conditions for everyone as the track dried up. In wet conditions at the Mugello Circuit, the Pirelli Cinturato rain tyres were clearly the first choice.

First on track was Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International), who was surprisingly the fastest FORMULA driver on his BOSS GP debut yesterday. In the rain he started gently at first but improved steadily and confirmed his Friday performance with class position 4.

Gianluca De Lorenzi (SMR, GDL Racing) needed even less time to get used to the Zytek-fired Auto GP Lola in these tricky conditions. The Nürburgring specialist is back in a monoposto after a long break and right in the middle of the class usually dominated by GP2 cars. At the beginning of the practice session, he even matched Formula 1 driver Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in the Toro Rosso STR1, who, however, was able to set the clearly best time with 1:52.969 in increasingly better conditions during the course of the timed practice.

In the time sheets behind them, Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) and De Lorenzi were involved in a thriller that lasted until the chequered flag waved. De Lorenzi bumped the Monegasque out of the lead with a 1:57.978 on his very last flying lap. Faggionato however, was still on a fast lap and used it for the counterattack: 1:57.368! Faggionato thus secured pole position – his second – in the FORMULA class.

Next to De Lorenzi is reigning FORMULA champion Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) on row 2, with Colombo and Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International) starting behind. Luca Martucci first tried the rain line for a long time, but a spin stopped him from improving his time later in the session. In the end, the race winner of last year came in sixth in his class.

The German Ulf Ehninger (ESBA Racing) is getting more and more used to his hot equipment. Things also went well for the Benetton driver in the wet: he starts the race from grid position 8. On row 5: Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag) and Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed), who delivered a strong performance in his first ever BOSS GP qualifying session and finished 8th in class.

The remaining rankings are available on the event page.

The first of two races of the BOSS GP Season Opening starts today, Saturday, at 15:55 local time. The race will be broadcast on Italian television (MS Motortv) and on the YouTube channel from race organiser Gruppo Peroni.

Photo: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Report Free Practice Mugello

The first impressions of BOSS GP 2021.

The first day of a new season is always something very special, and this year was no exception: new teams, new drivers, new cars and new liveries showed up at the Mugello Circuit on Friday morning. The two half-hour free practice sessions were used extensively by all the drivers. Many of them completed their first kilometres after the long winter break and wanted to get their muscles and minds back in shape. In addition, the crews recorded a lot of data behind the pit wall and fine-tuned the set-up.

BOSS GP record holder Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) set the fastest time in his Toro Rosso STR1. As usual, he used FP1 to set the fastest lap of the day (1:28.861). BOSS GP rookie Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) surprised as fastest FORMULA driver in today’s practice sessions. The experienced kart driver has thus immediately joined the circle of favourites. Only slightly slower than Colombo was Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag), who also wants to fight for victory this weekend.

Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International), who last won a BOSS GP race in 2018, would like to join the party as well. The return to MM International and into a GP2 race car started promisingly anyway (class rank 3 in practice). Fourth and fifth fastest today were Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), the two dominators of last year. Both may not have reached their full potential in practice. Incidentally, Ghiotto completed the most kilometres of all the drivers with 27 laps counted.

BOSS GP rookie Gianluca de Lorenzi (SMR, GDL Racing) was also in the mix as he sets the fastest time for an Auto GP driver today. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) was still struggling with the fine tuning. Last year’s race winner, however, can possibly hope for rain in the races. First qualifying of the year starts tomorrow at 10:05 a.m., before race 1 will get underway at 15:55 local time.

Photo: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Here we go!

Our preview for the BOSS GP Season Opening 2021 at Mugello Circuit on April 9, 10 and 11.

The BOSS GP Racing Series makes it possible: The upcoming weekend will mark the start of the new season for teams and drivers with their Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3000 and Auto GP bolides. At the season opening of Europe’s fastest racing series, one of the most beautiful racetracks in the world awaits the youngsters and gentlemen of BOSS GP. The 5.245-kilometre track in Mugello (built in 1974) is owned by Ferrari and traditionally hosts the World Motorcycle Championship. Last year, the circuit in Tuscany also hosted a Formula 1 race for the first time. The sequences of curves are usually smooth and fast, the topography hilly – all in all an absolute favourite track for many race drivers.

After a few years of abstinence, Mugello was added back into the Big Open Single Seater race calendar last year. The Cuvee Sensorium Grand Prix became the season finale in October 2020. The first race was dominated by the duel for the FORMULA championship title between Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio). Although Martucci won his first BOSS GP race, second place was enough for Ghiotto to defend his title. In rainy conditions again, a lot of courage and skill was demanded of the drivers in race 2. Both were combined by Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing), who added a surprising overall victory to a rather disappointing season.

The fact that the BOSS GP Racing Series can start the season as originally planned is also thanks to the race organiser Gruppo Peroni, who is hosting the event at Mugello. The support line-up of BOSS GP includes the one-make trophies Lotus Cup Italia, the Mitjet Italia Racing Series as well as sports prototypes, historic race cars and Porsche regularity classes. Due to the pandemic situation, the paddock and grandstands are not open to fans. BOSS GP hopes to welcome spectators back in our paddock soon.

Timetable BOSS GP Season Opening Mugello:

Friday, 9 April 2021
10:35–11:05          Free Practice 1
14:10–14:40          Free Practice 2

Saturday, 10 April 2021
10:05–10:35          Qualification (8+20 minutes)
15:55–16:15          Race 1 (20 minutes)

Sunday, 11 April 2021
10:00–10:10          Warm-up
14:30–14:55          Race 2 (25 minutes)

The starting list BOSS GP Season Opening Mugello 2021:

Armando Mangini (ITA)MM InternationalDallara GP2
Luca Martucci (ITA)MM InternationalDallara GP2
Simone Colombo (ITA)MM InternationalDallara GP2
Salvatore De Plano (ITA)MM InternationalLola Auto GP
Ingo Gerstl (AUT)Top SpeedToro Rosso STR1 F1
to be announcedTop SpeedDallara GP2
Marco Ghiotto (ITA)Scuderia PalladioDallara GP2
Walter Steding (GER)Scuderia PalladioDallara GP2
Nicolas Matile (MCO)Zig-ZagLola Auto GP
Marc Faggionato (MCO)Zig-ZagDallara GP2
Giulio Tine (ITA)ColacinoLola T96 50
Walter Colacino (ITA)ColacinoLola T96 50
Ulf Ehninger (GER)ESBA RacingBenetton B197 F1
Andreas Fiedler (GER)Fiedler RacingDallara GP2
Bruno Jarach (EST)Esti MotorsportDallara GP2
Alexander Seibold (GER)Alexander SeiboldDallara GP2
Gianluca De Lorenzi (SMR)GDL RacingLola Auto GP

Report Race 2 Mugello

Fiedler wins rain race ahead of Matile.

Rain, lightning and thunder had the Mugello region firmly under control on Sunday. It was no wonder that some drivers in their cars with over 600 hp took no risks and decided not to start in the second race of the weekend. Even more admirable are those drivers who ventured onto the wet track with partly standing water.

From the front row, yesterday’s race winner Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) started the race. Just when the lights switched to green, Martucci lost control of his car and was lucky not to hit the pit wall. After this moment of shock he was even able to continue the race. Still in lap 1, Ghiotto, who was in the lead, also lost control and spun his car at the exit of “Arrabbiata 1”. Because the vehicle had to be recovered from the meadow, the Fanatec Safety Car neutralised the race.

In the lead now was Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) in a Dallara GP2, who battled for the lead with Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag) in an Auto-GP-Lola in the final stage of the race. With victory in sight, both drivers gave everything they had, sometimes only centimetres apart from each other in a drift. In the end, Fiedler defied all attacks from Matile and took his first overall BOSS GP victory. However, Nicolas was also happy with second place and his best BOSS GP result so far. For the second time this year Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni) finished on the podium in his new Auto GP. His rain experience paid off this time.

Bruno Jarach (EST, Eeesti Motorsport) also achieved his best BOSS GP result with fourth place. Fifth place went to the unlucky Luca Martucci, who at least secured the fastest lap.

After the two races in Mugello, the decisions in the championship have also been made: Ingo Gerstl (OPEN) and Marco Ghiotto (FORMULA) defend their title from last year. The top 3 in the big class are completed by Benetton driver Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) and Jaguar driver Riccardo Ponzio (ITA, Adriatica Competition). Overall 2nd place in the FORMULA class goes to Luca Martucci. Sensational third place goes to Ghiotto’s team-mate Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio).

The season finale in Imola had to be cancelled. The reason for this is the starting build-up for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna, which takes place on November 1st. Instead, the BOSS GP Racing Series plans a final event at the Adria Raceway (ITA). Details will follow soon.

Photo: Roberto Piccinini/Actualfoto

Report Race 1 Mugello

FORMULA: Martucci beats Ghiotto, Gerstl ahead of Ehninger in the OPEN class

The BOSS GP drivers have a lot to tell after this race. Of all things, it started to rain at the start of the warm-up lap on the 5.4-kilometre-long Mugello Circuit. To ensure a safe start to the race and to give the teams time to change to rain tyres, the race was stopped once again and started a few minutes later behind the Fanatec Safety Car. But not everyone switched from slicks to the Pirelli Cinturato rain tyres during the break. Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag), Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni) and Bruno Jarach (EST, Eesti Motorsport) took the risk, but their tyre choice turned out to be a mistake as soon as the race was started. At various points around the track it began to rain more heavily again. The changing conditions subsequently made it incredibly difficult for the drivers to find the right pace. But the BOSS GP drivers did an outstanding job and managed to keep their powerful Formula 1, Formula 2 and Auto GP cars on track.

Behind the Austrian Ingo Gerstl (winner of the OPEN class) in the Toro Rosso F1, Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) fought an epic battle for the victory in the FORMULA class. In lap 1 Ghiotto first passed Martucci. At mid-race, the action came to a head: After a few tentative attempts, Martucci made the decisive manoeuvre at over 300 km/h on the start-finish straight. Nearly there was contact. But the duel was not over yet, because now Luca had to be up front in difficult track conditions. Marco followed only a few metres behind and tried to pass Martucci once again. To show how close it was between Martucci and Ghiotto: The best lap time of the two was only 0.003 seconds separated (in favour of Ghiotto). But it was no longer enough for the championship leader, instead Martucci’s team had reason to cheer this time. It was the first victory ever for the tall Italian in the BOSS GP Racing Series, and what a victory that was!

Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) was able to follow the two Italians in their home race for a couple of laps. He finished in a strong third place. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) also delivered a surprisingly good race. The third in the championship in 2019 has bought a new Dallara GP2 and is using this season’s races as a test. Because his team had no rain tyres at hand, the German had to drive to his tent in the paddock and then start from pit lane. Relatively quickly he moved up to fifth place in his class, but the gap to the front was already large. Until the halfway point of the race, Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) was on a good way to a fourth-place finish. But Steding lost ground in the second half of the race, and his position to compatriot Fiedler.

Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International) also drove impeccably, finishing sixth in his class behind Steding. Last year Mangini had announced his retirement. Today he proved that this was probably premature. Probably the hardest race had Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni). He was the only one who stayed on dry tyres until the end of the race and therefore had no chance. It is probably only thanks to his driving qualities that he was able to finish the race safely.

A ten-minute warm-up will be held tomorrow morning from 10.20 a.m. The second race of the weekend start 14.30. Rain showers are predicted.

Photo: Roberto Piccinini/Actualfoto

Preview & Timetable Mugello

The championship continues this weekend in Tuscany.

The Mugello Circuit is the venue for the season’s races 7 and 8 of the 2020 BOSS GP Racing Series The speedy track with its’ long curves and challenging up-and-downhill sections belongs to Ferrari and has been part of the BOSS GP tour schedule for the first time since 2014. Many drivers, especially the well-represented Italian faction, are happy about this. A few weeks ago, for the first time ever, Formula 1 also made a guest appearance in Mugello.

The BOSS GP race was originally planned as a season opener in March, but the restrictions in the first half of the year made a postponement necessary. The race will be held on 9, 10 and 11 October as part of the race package organised by Peroni. Support classes are various Italian GT and touring car series.

For the BOSS GP drivers, two free practice sessions are on the schedule on Friday, followed by qualifying and race 1 on Saturday, an additional warm-up and the second race on Sunday. The latest results and live timing can be followed via https://mugellocircuit.com/it/live-timing. Regular updates are available on our social media channels Instagram @bossgpofficial and Facebook @officialbossgp

Timetable BOSS GP Mugello 2020

Friday, 9 October 2020
10.30–11.00 Free Practice 1
14.05–14.35 Free Practice 2

Saturday, 10 October 2020
10.35–11.05 Qualifying
15.35–15.55 Race 1 (20 minutes)

Sunday, 11 October 2020
10.20–10.30 Warm-up
14.30–14.55 Race 2 (25 minutes)

Photo: Dirk Hartung