Race Report

FIA FORMULA 4
ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP, Rounds 07/08/09

Circuit: Spa-Francorchamps (B), Length 7.003 km, 26^th – 28^th May 2023
www.spa-francorchamps.be

JENZER MOTORSPORT 2023:
Ethan Ischer (CH), Hwarang Kim (KOR), Ariel Elkin (ISR)

Elkin in the points at Spa

The third of seven meetings in the Italian FIA Formula 4 Championship was held at the legendary circuit of Spa-Francorchamps (B). With 31 competitors present for the meeting, their expectations were as high as could be ahead of the start.

Qualifying

Saturday, 27/05/23, 09.50 – 10.30, Weather: Sunny, 16°C

The rules allow for two qualifying sessions of 15 minutes, with a 10-minute break in between. The Qualifying 1 times determine the grid for Race 1 and the times from Qualifying 2 determine the grid for Race 2. The starting order for Race 3 is based on the 2^nd best lap time of each driver in either of the two qualifying sessions.

FIA Formula 4 Italian Championship

Race One (30 minutes + 1 lap)

Saturday, 27/05/23, 14.30, Weather: Sunny, 22°C

The start of the first race of the weekend went well. Then, when 2 laps had already been completed, there was a big accident and the race was red-flagged. Luckily the two drivers emerged unhurt and the race was restarted after two laps behind the safety car according to the results after lap 2 from before. 23.20 minutes race time remained, but because it took a long time to line up in the correct starting order behind the safety car, the safety car remained in action for a full 2 laps. After that, just 10 minutes remained until the end of the race. In this super sprint race it was difficult to do much. Ariel managed to improve from 14^th place to 12^th place. Ethan had actually moved up to 16^th and Hwarang was 22^nd when the race, now on the last lap, was red flagged again as Larini was stranded in a exposed spot on the track. Unfortunately, the positions one lap before the end counted as the result. This placed Ariel 13^th, Ethan 17^th and Hwarang 23^rd.

FIA Formula 4 Italian Championship

Race Two (30 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday, 28/05/23, 10.35, Weather: Sunny, 22°C

There was bright sunshine at the start of the second race at Spa on Sunday morning. The large field got away well at the start, but the safety car had to be deployed on lap two because one vehicle was stranded after contact. Ariel had started very well and had worked his way past Domingues to 10^th place. Hwarang and Ethan fought amongst themselves and Ethan was now in 21^st place with Hwarang right behind him in 22^nd place. At the restart, Hwarang managed to get back in front of Ethan. When two more vehicles got stuck in the gravel bed, the safety car had to take over the field again briefly on lap 5. After the restart on lap 6, two cars lost control and hit the barrier at the top of the Radillon, another three cars following were involved in the accident, including unfortunately Ethan. Luckily, word soon came out that all the drivers were fine. However, the race was red-flagged and not restarted, although there were still 10 minutes of the race distance to go. The cleaning up was taking a long time.
The result was counted one lap before the end. With that, Ariel was an excellent 10^th and got his first point in this championship! Ethan was still in the race then and 17^th, with Hwarang folloing in 18^th.

FIA Formula 4 Italian Championship

Race Three (30 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday, 28/05/23, 17.20, Weather: Sunny, 22°C

The third race of the FIA F4 started a little late. Ariel got off well and immediately fought his way forward. He was already in 10^th place when Al Dhaheri hit his rear wheel and made him spin. Al Dhaheri himself landed in the gravel, Ariel dragged himself back to the pits. Unfortunately, he had to give up with the damaged vehicle. The safety car took over the field until Al Dhaheri’s car was cleared. Ethan got off to a good start and was 15^th at the restart. Lund managed to pass Ethan, but a little later Ethan regained the place. Shortly before the end of the race, Ethan managed to overtake Narac as well. That put him in 14^th place. Hwarang was also doing well. He immediately improved several places at first and had moved up to 18^th place before the safety car phase. He then held this position to the finish. Since it was Sunday and there are strict noise regulations in Spa, the race ended prematurely. That meant there was no time for Ethan or Hwarang to continue to improve.

Ethan Ischer (CH)

Hwarang Kim (KOR)

Ariel Elkin (ISR)

© Photo Pellegrini

Championship Standings

FIA F4 Italian Championship 2023 after 9 races:
1^st Arvid Lindblad (SWE), 146.5 points; 2^nd Ugo Ugochukwu (USA), 121 points; 3^rd Zachary David (PHL), 60 points; 4^th James Wharton (AUS), 95.5 points; 5^th Brando Badoer (ITA), 71 points; 6^th Kacper Sztuka (POL), 66 points; 22^nd Ariel Elkin, 0.5 points

Rookie-Standings:
1^st Arvid Lindblad (SWE), 166.5 points; 2^nd Zachary David (PHL), 138.5 points; 3^rd Nicola Lacorte (ITA), 111 points; 12^th Ariel Elkin (ISR), 20 points

2023 Italian FIA Formula 4 Championship

More info:

• www.italiaracing.net