Race Report

FIA FORMULA 4
ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP, Rounds 10/11/12

Circuit: Monza (I), Length 5.793 km, 23^rd – 25^th June 2023
www.monzanet.it

JENZER MOTORSPORT 2023:
Ethan Ischer (CH), Ariel Elkin (ISR), Finn Wiebelhaus (DE)

Elkin close to top ten in Monza

The fourth round of the FIA F4 Italian Championship took place at the “Temple of Speed” in Monza. Finn Wiebelhaus replaced Hwarang Kim for this round in our team. With 33 cars on the grid expectations were high.

Qualifying

Friday, 23/06/23, 16.45 – 17.25, Weather: Sunny, 33°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, 24/06/23, 13.20, Weather: Sunny, 35°C

On Saturday noon, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees, the lights went out for the first race of the weekend. The big field made it through the first corners safely and the battle for positions begun. From 13^th place on the grid, Ariel was already one spot up by the end of the opening laps. Ethan and Finn were immediately in the battle in 23^rd and 25^th place respectively. Working his way up, Ethan quickly moved to 20^th place and started a fine battle with Kluss for 19^th position. They changed position more than once, with Ethan finishing in front in the end. Nose to gearbox, the battle was close throughout the field. A safety car had to be deployed with 6 minutes to go and the race was briefly neutralized. When the race resumed, our drivers were able to stay out of trouble. Ariel crossed the finish line in 15^th position, followed by Ethan who took advantage of the restart to take 17^th place. Finn took 21^st place in his first race with our team. After the race some penalties were handed out and because of this our drivers moved more to the front.

FIA Formula 4 Italian Championship

Race Two (30 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday, 25/06/23, 08.40, Weather: Sunny, 24°C

The second race of the weekend got underway early on Sunday morning. When the lights went out, our drivers were ready to show their best performance. The big field immediately battled its way through the first corners and by the end of the opening laps Ariel was in 15^th place, with Ethan in 24^th and Finn in 26^th. A Safety Car had to be deployed in the early stages of the race, with 22 minutes still to go. As green was shown, our drivers took advantage of the restart to make some moves and climb up the order. Ariel was now in 14^th place, Ethan was catching up with a group and was up in 18^th place and Finn was running in 23^rd position. Lap after lap, Ethan made great moves forward and soon joined Ariel in the battle for 13^th place. Our drivers kept it clean in the final stages and when the checkered flag waved, Ariel took a great 12^th position. Ethan crossed the line in a positive 14^th place with 11 positions recovered and Finn finished the race in a good 19^th position.

FIA Formula 4 Italian Championship

Race Three (30 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday, 25/06/23, 14.20, Weather: Sunny, 31°C

Race 3 got underway in the afternoon heat. From 19^th place on the grid, Ariel was ready for the final battle of the weekend. When the lights went out, the Israeli driver got off well and immediately moved up to 17^th place by the end of the opening stages. Behind him, Ethan and Finn also got away well and moved up to 22^nd and 26^th place respectively. Ariel was on a mission and quickly made his way up to 13^th position. The Israeli rookie made a move on Kluss to snatch 12^th position and was ready for more. Unfortunately, disaster happened as with 10 minutes to go and points still at stake, a contact with Spina left him with a puncture. Ariel had to drive back to the pits and retire his car. Such a shame! In the meanwhile, Ethan was also on the charge and ready to fight. The Swiss driver fought his way up to 16^th place. Move after move, Ethan left the best for the final laps as he crossed the finish line in a brilliant 13^th position after a hard fought race. Further in the field, Finn was also fighting for positions. When the checkered flag waved, the German driver took a positive 23^rd place.

Ethan Ischer (CH)

Ariel Elkin (ISR)

Finn Weibelhaus (DE)

© Photo Pellegrini

Championship Standings

FIA F4 Italian Championship 2023 after 12 races:
1^st Arvid Lindblad (SWE), 221.5 points; 2^nd Ugo Ugochukwu (USA), 141 points; 3^rd James Wharton (AUS), 123.5 points; 4^th Kacper Sztuka (POL), 108 points; 5^th Brando Badoer (ITA), 104 points; 6^th Zachary David (PHL), 104 points; 21^st Ariel Elkin, 2.5 points

Rookie-Wertung:
1^st Arvid Lindblad (SWE), 241.5 points; 2^nd Zachary David (PHL), 158.5 points; 3^rd Nicola Lacorte (IT), 143 points; 10^th Ariel Elkin (ISR), 36 points

2023 Italian FIA Formula 4 Championship

More info:

• www.italiaracing.net