Race Report

FIA FORMULA 4
ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP, Rounds 16/17/18

Circuit: Mugello (I), Length 5.245 km, 29^th September – 1^st October 2023
www.mugellocircuit.it

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

Elking close to the top ten in Mugello

The sixth of the seven races of the Italian FIA F4 Championship took place at the fast GP circuit of Mugello. Thirty-four cars were entered.

Qualifying

Saturday, 30/09/23, 10.20 – 11.00, Weather: Sunny, 25°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, 30/09/23, 17.50, Weather: Sunny, 28°C

The first race of the weekend got underway on Saturday late afternoon, as the sun was setting down on the circuit. From the 22^nd spot on the grid, Ariel had a good start and kept his position. Behind him, Ethan had a brilliant getaway and moved past his teammate, up to 20^th place. Hwarang also started well and he gained places, moving from 30^th place to 26^th position. A Safety Car had to be deployed already by the end of the opening lap, but the race quickly resumed on lap 3. Our drivers took advantage of the restart to gain positions with Ariel now in 18^th place, Ethan in 20^th and Hwarang in 24^th. During the middle stage of the race, our drivers remained in the group for the fight and managed to keep their position, leaving the best for the last laps. When the chequered flag waved, Ariel took 14^th place! Ethan was not far behind, in 17^th position, while Hwarang crossed the line in 20^th position after recovering 10 places!

FIA Formula 4 Italian Championship

Race Two (30 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday, 23/07/23, 10.10, Weather: Sunny, 18°C

The start of the second race was given on Sunday morning under clear skies with a cool temperature, which increased during the course of the race. Ariel started in 19^th position, while Ethan had an excellent start in 20^th position and moved up two positions on the first lap. Kim started in 27^th position and immediately started to fight. A safety car had to take the field over at the end of the first lap and when the race resumed, our drivers managed to improve their positions. Lap after lap, Ethan was in a very good rhythm and moved up to 16^th position. Unfortunately, with 5 minutes to go, the safety car came in again as Lindblad and Badoer collided. After that no time was left on the clock and the race ended behind the safety car. Ethan finished race two in 14^th position, two positions behind him was Ariel in 16^th position while Hwarang managed to move up to 25^th place.

FIA Formula 4 Italian Championship

Race Three (30 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday, 01/10/23, 16.50, Weather: Sunny, 32°C

After a long, hot afternoon, the third race of the weekend got started. Soon there was an accident and the safety car had to take over the field. At the start and also at the restart, our drivers did well and improved their positions. Ariel was now 17^th, Ethan 20^th and Hwarang 25^th. Ariel managed to gain place after place in the subsequent laps. He made it up to 12^th place, gaining a total of 10 places. Ethan was also fighting for positions, but in this race he had his worst tires available and ultimately had to settle for taking home 19^th position. It took Hwarang a few laps until he finally found his rhythm and managed to move up 9 positions from 27^th on the grid to 18^th.

Ethan Ischer (CH)

Hwarang Kim (KOR)

Ariel Elkin (ISR)

© Photo Pellegrini

Championship Standings

FIA F4 Italian Championship 2023 after 18 races:
1^st Kacper Sztuka (POL), 258 points; 2^nd Arvid Lindblad (SWE), 256.5 points; 3^rd Ugo Ugochukwu (USA), 240 points; 4^th James Wharton (AUS), 177.5 points; 5^th Tuukka Taponen (FIN), 145 points; 6^th Brando Badoer (ITA), 136 points; 22^nd Ariel Elkin, 6.5 points

Rookie-Standings:
1^st Arvid Lindblad (SWE), 317.5 points; 2^nd Tuukka Taponen (FIN), 234.5 points; 3^rd Zachary David (PHL), 200.5 points; 10^th Ariel Elkin (ISR), 66 points

2023 Italian FIA Formula 4 Championship

More info:

• www.italiaracing.net