Formula 4 and Formula 3 meet at Imola for the grand final

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After the exciting weekend at Monza’s “Temple of Speed”, on 11th and 12th October the little champions of Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth are ready to do battle in another “Temple” of Motorsport: at Enzo and Dino Ferrari in Imola, that will be theater of the seventh and final round of the newborn category, as well as the first step after karting.

For the occasion, the 20 young drivers – aged between 14 and 16 – will share track and paddock with more experienced colleagues of F.3 FIA European that have also reached their last round of the season. A kind of passing the baton between the two FIA categories to growth and launch of new champions to Formula 1 and professionalism. “At Monza we experienced three great races in which Italian National Anthem has been played three times and public’s response was really important, with principal areas crowded of fans of all ages”, Gian Carlo Minardi says. “Open Doors initiative starts giving its first results and this must be only the first step. We have to lead all fans to approach again and make them fall in love again. Imola will close the first season of Formula 4 – the category open to all guys coming from karting world – and the fight for second and third place is still to be played. In the same time, there’ll also be the end of F.3 FIA European, with opportunity to see in action Max Verstappen – next to debut in F1 – and our bishops Antonio Fuoco (Prema) and Antonio Giovinazzi (Carlin), together with the championship winner, Esteban Ocon.

There are all the ingredients to experience another thrilling weekend of motorsport. “I wait for you all at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola, on 11th and 12th October“, the manager from Faenza concludes, “to attend the final rounds of Formula 4 and Formula 3“.

F.4 – Talented second place for Joao Vieira at Monza

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Sixth round of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, in the name of competitiveness for Joao Vieira, who wins an important second place in Race-3, in a weekend consistently in top positions.

Since free practice sessions, the young Brazilian of Antonelli Motorsport shows the good feeling get with the “Temple of Speed”, bringing his Tatuus #28 with constancy in the very first positions, signing the third fastest time with a handful of tenths off the pole, in both free practice sessions. Joao repeats himself, touching the second row in Qualifying with the third time (1’53.926), just 70 thousandths from the pole of the much more experienced Brandon Maisano.

In Race-3, satisfaction is great, with the achievement of the best result of the season with a peremptory second place. From his first passes, the 16-year-old steps heavily, keeping the tread rhythm. Even in the restart after the safety car, which entered the track on the first lap because of a contact at the start, he held his position trying to lunge. Given the expressed potential, reward could certainly be larger, especially for what has been showed during the sprint-race on Sunday morning. Having started from the last row for an accelerator problem in the first manche, the yellow-gold driver recovers in less than 18″ up to the third position, winning the audience’s applause and inflaming the wonderful public setting on the steps of Monza circuit. Only a contact in the last meters before chequered flag denies him the satisfaction of a deserved podium, closing only in seventh place.

“I’m really happy for this second place and for my rhythm, throughout the weekend. Certainly, regret still remains for what happened in Race-2, where I lost a podium in the last few meters to avoid a driver who took me off the track. It’s been exciting to overtake many times in so few laps. After the third place at Mugello, now the second place has arrived. It only remains to win the victory“, Joao Vieira says smiling. “At Imola, in fifteen days, I’ll try to get my revenge“.

Manager Giovanni Minardi, who follows Joao’s development and career, is of the same mind. “I have absolutely to congratulate Joao both for his second place and for the rhythm of the whole weekend, as well as the entire Antonelli Motorsport team. Certainly, there’s regret for having seen fade, not our fault, a podium in Race-2 and a great comeback. Passing from 20P to 3P in less than 18″ is not bad for a beginner. It’s a pity, because we could make a bigger jump in overall standings. We still lack 2-3 tenths that we’ll try to erode in view of Imola“, the manager of Minardi Management analyzes.

Joao Vieira greets the penultimate race on the calendar with the sixth place in overall standings, waiting for the last round at Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit, on 12th October.

FIA WEC – Points and podium rhythm for Davide Rigon at the 6 Hours of Austin

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In Texas the curtain fell on the 6 Hours of Austin, the fourth round of the FIA Endurance World Championship, in which the changeable weather conditions were an important variable during the whole weekend.

At the wheel of the Ferrari 458 #71, the talented Venetian driver Davide Rigon, together with his team-mate James Calado, signed his debut on another circuit of an international character, putting himself on test along its 5,513 meters. Heavy rain and high air temperatures made even more demanding the endurance race, in which, however, David emerged, showing himself with lap times like the top of the class.

After about an hour and a half from the start, a strong storm made landfall on the American circuit, making the track impassable and forcing the race director to raise the red flag and suspend temporarily the race. At that point, the Venetian driver came into action instead of his friend James, using Wet tyres, bringing the Ferrari of AF Corse near to the podium, before giving the wheel up for the final stint, in the last hour and twenty minutes. Only one problem, yet to be verified, denies the satisfaction of the first seasonal podium, ending with a fifth placement. “It’s been a really demanding weekend, from all points of view. The track is not easy, especially in the first part with many blind corners. In addition, the weather has done its part, with thunderstorms and an air temperature around 32°C“, Davide Rigon analyzes, on the way back from America. “During the free practice sessions, I studied the track, but discovering tricks only in race. I am very happy with my race rhythm, from podium like to the tops of the class, even in difficult wet conditions, in which we decided to take a risk with Wet compounds. I just regret for having missed out a podium in the last hour“, the Ferrari driver concludes. “Now my head is already to Japan“.

Next appointment is scheduled for the weekend of October 12th with the 6 Hours of Fuji, fifth round of the World Championship.

F.4 – Joao Vieira at Monza, thinking big

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The Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth is getting ready for the sixth and penultimate round of the season at Monza.

Took the first contact with the fast Monza circuit, Joao Vieira is ready to gain the first win of the season, after having touched the pole in the last race at “Piero Taruffi” in Vallelunga. Once again, it will be a debut in a weekend race for the Brazilian of Antonelli Motorsport, on a track that does not need any introduction, as part of the history of Motorsport, with the unknowns of the first chicane, the two curves of Lesmo and the famous parabolic curve.

In the first five rounds, the development of the Brazilian counts 66 points and the seventh place in general raking, with the podium at Mugello and other important placements. From here until the end of the season, the goal is the highest step of the podium. The challenge is issued.

“We arrive at Monza after the good results of Vallelunga and last weekend. Last week I had the opportunity to take the first contact with Monza. A really fast track, with several points to overtake. I can’t wait to be on track, but only on Friday we’ll understand what’s our potential“, Joao Vieira says.

“After the test of last week, that goes pretty well, I am very optimistic in view of the weekend race, where we can finally play for the top step of the podium. If weather will assist us, we can experience an amazing show. In this last month and a half, Joao has worked hard, making a great difference in quality. It’s time to collect the important results. Fingers crossed“, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

As scheduled, the weekend will start on Friday, with two turns of free practice sessions, followed by Qualifying on Saturday 27th (11:50 am and 12:30 pm), to determine the starting grid of the two races (28′ + 1 lap), scheduled at 5:35 pm and 4:05 pm (on Sunday 28th). In the middle, the sprint race with 23 drivers, competing for 18′ + 1 lap.

F.4 – Joao Vieira studies the Temple of Speed

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Study day for Joao Vieira in Monza, which is scene of the sixth and penultimate round of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth. The Brazilian driver has returned to work on his Tatuus #28 to start gaining confidence with the fast track of Monza, that hosted the champions of Formula 1 only a few weeks ago.

After placings with good points in the last rounds, the bearer of Antonelli Motorsport began approaching the weekend of September 27th – 28th scoring important results on track, leaving the Autodromo Internazionale with positive feelings. “It was a really important test day, in which I completed the entire program developed by the Antonelli Motorsport staff. The track is really very fast and amazing, and the weather helped us, giving me the opportunity to do several tests of set-up, as well as studying the ideal trajectories”, Joao Vieira says. “After coming really close to the first pole-position of the season at Vallelunga, I’ll try again within a week, right here at Monza. The latest results have confirmed that I’m on the right road. The goal is the highest step of the podium by the end of the Championship. It’s no use denying it. Reaching the podium at Monza would be great”, the driver of Minardi Management concludes.

There’s satisfaction also in the words of the manager, Giovanni Minardi: “If a good beginning bodes well, then in Monza we expect another good result. After becoming familiar with the layout and its fast 5.793 meters, Joao scored consistently excellent results on track, in spite of used tyres, remaining a handful of tenths off the best performance scored with new compounds. The weather helped us, because we had the opportunity to work with an air temperature of 21°C. Only at the end of the day came a bit of rain. Unfortunately, we had no chance to drive in Qualifying set-up, with new tyres. The results of Vallelunga showed that we are lacking very little to make the big jump. We have the first row and the victory in our sights”, Minardi concludes.

FIA WEC – Davide Rigon flies to Austin for the 6 Hours

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Davide Rigon is ready to get back at the wheel of his Ferrari 458 #71, for the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. After three months from the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the World Championship par excellence in the Endurance category is preparing to turn on the engines and get to the heart, reaching the turning point of the season.

The stage is one of the important one. After England, Belgium and France, the Circus is ready to fly overseas, landing in Texas, in the brand new “Circuit of the Americas” of Austin – scene of Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2012 – for the 6 Hours.

This will be the debut for the test driver of Ferrari, along the  5.513 meters in which the German architect, Mr. Tilke, has designed twenty curves among the great differences in height; these curves together with the long straight of 1km will give several ideas for overtaking.

“Finally back on track. It will be a circuit to be discovered, as well as my first race overseas in the World Championship and with these cars. I started to discover the layout on the simulator. Austin is a very demanding circuit, especially the first part, with many blind corners“, Davide Rigon comments. “The goals are important, because we want to confirm our position at the top Constructors and Team PRO ranking“. After the first three appointments, Ferrari and AF Corse respectively lead the Constructors ranking – with 135 points and before the opponents, Porsche and Aston Martin  – and the Team ranking. “The weather will be a variable to take into account. It will be our first real “hot” race, where resistance is put to the test, as well as car and tyres”, the driver of Minardi Management, Davide Rigon, concludes.

F.4 – At Vallelunga more points for Joao Vieira

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Solid weekend for Joao Vieira at “Piero Taruffi” Racing Circuit of Vallelunga, which has been the scene of the fifth round of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth.

The 16-year-old Brazilian from Gurupi confirms the growth, closing all races in the score-zone, winning a total rewarding result of 23 points, consolidating both a seventh place in the general ranking and his position as reference pilot for Antonelli Motorsport. The weekend started very well right from the beginning, with Joao that reached the top positions, closing the free practice sessions in fifth and third place, a handful of tenths off the top, touching the pole-position. Even in a demanding track such as Campagnano, the level of championship turned out to be very selective, with even nine and thirteen cars within a range of just 1” in the two Qualifying sessions.

Despite some inaccuracies at the start, in the three races that characterize every weekend of the newborn series – two rounds of 28′ + 1 lap and one race of 18′ + 1 lap – the driver managed by Minardi Management became the author of amazing battles, being consistently among the fastest drivers in the lot.

“It was a definitely positive weekend and I’m happy with the gained results. Unfortunately, a small mistake in Qualifying denied me the first pole-position and at the start I lost a few positions, skidding the wheels. My race speed was good, and I have no longer made any mistakes. Now I prepare for Monza“, the driver of Minardi Management, Joao Vieira, says.

“I’m very satisfied with what has been collected from Joao here in Vallelunga. Since the free practice sessions, he was with the best of the championship, although the regret still remains for the pole-position lost in the last corner and for the not yet perfect starts, which made him lose some positions. In all races he did very well to recover, struggling with a knife between his teeth, without making mistakes and taking a pace close to the first drivers. Now, we go on two tracks, Monza and Imola, where it will be easier to overtake“, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

F.4 – Joao Vieira at Vallelunga, thinking about a new podium

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After a day of test last week, this weekend Joao Vieira will continue from “Piero Taruffi” Racing Circuit of Vallelunga his way in the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, which is now in its fifth appointment. The newborn series brought on track by ACI and promoted by WSK actually enters its final part. After the weekend on track of the capital circuit, the Circus will move first to Monza (27th – 28th September) and later to Imola (11th – 12th October) for the “grand finale”.

The 16-year-old Brazilian from Gurupi is ready to get back at the wheel of the Tatuus F.4 #28, with the aim of continuing the positive streak of results, after the podium at Mugello and the points won between Adria and Magione that led him to the seventh place in ranking, with 43 points. The bearer of Antonelli Motorsport will take advantage of the experience gained during the two days of test on track of Campagnano, in order to look for an exciting new result.

“I could take a first contact with the layout of Vallelunga and I really like the track. Thanks to the programs carried out in the two days of test, since Friday’s tests I’ll be able to focus more on car’s development, both for Qualifying and race. The goal is always the podium, especially after seeing it first-hand at Mugello, even if it won’t be easy. The championship is really very selective and every mistake is paid immediately“, the pilot of the Minardi Management, Joao Vieira, analyses.

“I’ve been positively impressed by Joao’s outcomes during the last tests and this gives me hope in view of the weekend’s race. Since the beginning of the year, he’s steadily improved and, coming from karting, this is the most important thing. We’re getting closer to the top. We must continue to work, growing step by step. The podium on a selective and demanding track like Mugello is an important proof of Joao’s qualities“, Giovanni Minardi comments.

The engines will switch on on Friday 12th September, with the two turns of free practice sessions, in preparation for Qualifying (5:50pm and 6:15pm), which will determine the starting grid of the two rounds of the race (28′ + 1 Lap), starting on Saturday at 4:20pmand Sunday at 5.10pm. In the middle, starting at 9:35am, the sprint race (18′ + 1 Lap).

F.4 – Joao Vieira prepares the new challenge at “Piero Taruffi” circuit

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Intense day of work at Vallelunga circuit for Joao Vieira, that is at the wheel of his #28 Tatuus, preparing the next round of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, scheduled for the weekend of September 13th and 14th exactly in the track of Campagnano.

In fact, “Piero Taruffi” circuit will be the stage of the fifth of seven rounds on the calendar of the newborn category commissioned by FIA, supported and brought to the track by ACI and promoted by WSK. The 16-year-old Brazilian from Gurupi continued the work started in July, on the occasion of his debut on the 4,085 meters of the demanding capital’s racetrack, completing over 100 rounds with excellent chronometric results, together with the staff of Antonelli Motorsport.

“I’m really happy with this day of work and with the lap time. I could make the most of the work started before the last race of Magione, completing many rounds, getting close to Maisano’s time. I like the circuit a lot and now I can’t wait to get on track this weekend“, Joao Vieira says.

“A very profitable day, even kissed by a beautiful sun. Joao has put together more than 400 km without making mistakes, scoring constantly very interesting chronometric results. Now, we have just to complete the training for the race, in order to get to the weekend prepared and determined to win another important result”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

F.4 – Joao Vieira discovers Vallelunga and Magione

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They were two days of intense work for Joao Vieira at Vallelunga and Magione circuits, the scene of the next two rounds of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth.

The 16-year-old Brazilian driver from Gurupi started to approach the second part of the new Championship, together with the staff of Antonelli Motorsport, taking the first contact with the demanding “Piero Taruffi” circuit (4,085 meters long) and the eleven corners that characterize the 2,507 meters of the “Mario Umberto Borzacchini” track, at the wheel of his #28.

After bringing up the Brazilian flag onto the Mugello’s podium, Joao is determined to continue the positive trend from the next event – scheduled on August 2nd and 3rd – and, on the track of Perugia, he has certainly started off on the right foot,  scoring excellent chronometric results, getting very close the pole-position and quickly adapting to the track layout.

“These have been two intense days, during which I’ve worked alongside my team, looking ahead to the next two races. I am very satisfied with the results scored in Magione, while I made a few mistakes at Vallelunga. For me, every track is a completely new discovery and time to learn is always very little. We are approaching the second half of the season and I’m happy with my progresses. For this reason, I would like to thank all the staff of Antonelli Motorsport”, the driver of Minardi Management says.

“I’m really happy with the work done by Joao in these two days, especially with regard to the results obtained in Magione. He has adapted quickly to the track and the lap times were really interesting. Only for a few tenths, he couldn’t score the pole-position of the day, stopping at the second position. The day in Vallelunga was more difficult, but the track is certainly more challenging and he will have the opportunity to redeem himself. Now Joao will continue his physical and athletics training before the fourth round of the season at Magione”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

F.4 – Joao Vieira at work in Vallelunga and Magione

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With the memory of the podium at Mugello very much alive, Joao Vieira is ready to return to the wheel of his Tatuus #28 for two days of tests on the tracks of Vallelunga (Tuesday, July 22nd) and Magione (Wednesday, July 23rd).

For the 16-year-old Brazilian driver of Antonelli Motorsport, it will be the first time both at the “Piero Taruffi” and “Autodromo dell’Umbria” Circuits, that will be the theatre of the next two (out of seven) appointments of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, now entering into the “hot” part of the season.

Joao is ready for the second part of the season, continuing the hard work at the Driver Program Center of Forlì and galvanized by the important result achieved in Tuscany, crowned by the podium finish in Race-3 that launched him in the Top Eight of the overall standings, with the same points of his team-mate and friend Matteo Cairoli.

“Thanks to these days of tests I will have the chance to discover the next two circuits of race, Vallelunga and Magione. For me, every track is a discovery and challenge. Thanks to the simulator of the Driver Program Center, I had the chance to try the layout of the ‘Piero Taruffi’ and the first impressions are really good, similarly to what happened with Mugello. It would be great to repeat the result, with another podium. At each session, I take more and more confidence with the car and this helps me to get closer to the limit”, the pilot of Minardi Management says.

“After the good work at Mugello, it’s now time to get to know two other circuits in the Championship calendar. For Joao, these will be two days of apprenticeship ahead of the weekend of race, since he doesn’t know the tracks. I hope he will like them as much as Mugello, as the results have demonstrated”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

F.4 – Mugello on the podium for Joao Vieira

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The selective circuit of Mugello (Tuscany, Italy) has highlighted all the technical qualities of Joao Vieira who, at the third round of the Italian F.4 Championship Powered by Abarth, won his first podium.

The third place is the icing on the cake of a good weekend which has blown away the disappointment of fifteen days ago at Imola, scoring an excellent hat-trick with three finishes in the points-zone in as many races, for a total of 32 points.

After conquering the third row in the two rounds of Qualifying on Saturday morning, respectively with the fifth and sixth fastest time, the 16-year-old Brazilian driver from Gurupi scored points in the first two races, thanks to an excellent fifth place in Race-1 and a seventh place in the sprint race. The greatest satisfaction came right at the last race with an attacking attitude, that from the fourteenth position led him to conquer the third step of the podium (which means also the first podium of the season). “I’m really happy both for the first podium and for the weekend. Since the first times on the track, in the tests of the past weeks, I’ve liked it very much, because it’s very fast and technical. Therefore very suitable to my style of driving. I must also thank all the staff of Antonelli Motorsport – they are really very good – as well as the trainers of the Driver Program Center. This podium has to be just the beginning”, Joao Vieira comments.

“I’m really satisfied. During the test, I was immediately impressed and this podium is the confirmation of the good technical and speed qualities of Joao. The Mugello is a challenging track and he was very good at not making any mistakes. In Race-3, despite a non-perfect start, he recovered several positions until he conquered of the podium. A result that boosts the morale for the second half of the season”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

Thanks to these precious results, Joao incredibly improves his position in the overall ranking, entering fiercely into the Top-Eight with 33 points.

Joao Vieira at Mugello, to leave Imola behind

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It’s already the time for the third round of the Italian F.4 Championship Powered by Abarth. After the difficult weekend at Imola, Joao Vieira has the chance to turn the tables on the demanding Mugello circuit, where a few weeks ago he surprised everyone by scoring from the first steps excellent lap times, reaching the top of the rankings.

The 16-year-old Brazilian driver of Antonelli Motorsport will have the opportunity to show his skills on the demanding layout of the international track in Tuscany, whose major marks are the “San Donato” corner, the “Casanova-Savelli” – a descending right-left chicane – and “The two Angry” (in Italian, “Le due Arrabbiate”), which enhance his driving style

After the points scored in the opening race at Adria, Joao will try to add a new useful result to his palmares. “I’m really happy to be able to return immediately to drive. Imola was a weekend of apprenticeship. Now I want to try an immediate ransom, building on the work done in the last few weeks of tests right here, on the hills of Scarperia. It’s a challenging and technical circuit that is well suited to my driving style. A podium would be the best result”, Joao Vieira comments.

“I’m glad Joao can be immediately back at the wheel of his car, in order to leave behind the week-end at Imola. Given the good performance during the tests a few weeks ago, I hope that the Mugello will be the theatre of a good result for him, even though races are always different to tests. I am very confident, given also the important work that he’s carrying out with the Driver Program”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

The curtains will rise on the Mugello Circuit on Friday 11th July with the three free practice sessions, in preparation for Qualifying on Saturday 12th (9.00 and 9.25 am), which will determine the starting grid of the two rounds of the race (28’ + 1 Lap), starting on Saturday at 3.35 pm and Sunday at 5.10 pm. In the middle, starting at 9.00 am, the sprint race (18’ + 1 Lap).