Gabriele Minì (PREMA Powerteam) is first in FP1 (1’48.134), while his teammate Gabriel Oliveyra Bortoleto with new tires stands out in FP2 (1’47.728). In view of tomorrow morning’s qualifying, starting at 9.30 am, well behind Bortoleto and Minì (1’47.742), Beganovic (1’47.999), Pizzi (1’48.123), Delli Gloves (1’48.392) and Fornaroli ( 1’48.406).

Among the new entries of the championship the best is Barnard, thirteenth with 1’49.061.

The track in FP2 featured asphalt at 22.9 ° C and fresh air at 20.3 ° C.

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The 15-year-old from Russia, who made his competitive debut in single-seaters this season, will enter selected rounds of the to gain valuable experience.

Smal, who is supported by the SMP Racing program has already shown some promise in the German championship, with one podium to his name. Not a surprise considering his successful karting pedigree, featuring outstanding results in all categories.

Team Principal Angelo Rosin said: “We wish to welcome Kirill to our team and we look forward to working with him at Mugello”

” think our collaboration will help him to make a good step forward, and while fielding five cars for sure will be challenging, there will also be benefits involved so we are confident in our potential ahead of this weekend’s round 4. It’s great to have SMP Racing on board. They are great partners and we are proud of their involvement.”

Kirill Smal added: “I’m happy to line-up for a second racing program this season. Italian F4 is similar to ADAC F4, but this year it has more participants, so it’s more competitive and that is definitely interesting.”

“I’ve taken part in four rounds of the ADAC F4, but there is still a lot to learn and this move will provide me with more experience. I’m delighted to drive for PREMA Powerteam. It’s a highly-experienced squad and they have been working with SMP Racing for quite a long time. I’m sure that we will get up to speed really quickly.”

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Jack Crawford (1: 31.071) came in third, the Prema Powerteam driver and member of the ACI Team Italia, Gabriele Minì, which shot in 1: 31.103.

Following the English Jonny Edgar (Van Amersfoort Racing – 1: 31.104) and the Italian Francesco Pizzi (Van Amersfoort Racing – 1: 31.220).

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The Englishman masterfully manages to overtake the Swede, while Crawford in an attempt to do the same thing touches Beganovic and goes into a spin. Filip Ugran (Jenzer Motorsport) passes.

Meanwhile, an accident in the rear positions requires the immediate entry of the safety car.

At the restart, Edgar, Ugran and Beganovic parade, but the first goes straight (“I was touched”) and Ugran passes first. The Englishman immediately returns to the attack, but the Romanian manages to resist for the whole race.

10 ‘from the end Crawford overtakes Beganovic and conquers third.

Ugran keeps the lead, but slows down the big group that comes together, with Edgar, Crawford, Beganovic, Chovanek, Rosso, Pizzi and Minì behind him.

Bad start of Gabriele Minì who stalls and from 7th position finds himself in 18th, only to be the fastest immediately after Edgar and conquer the final eighth place. In front of him two Italians, Rosso and Pizzi, the latter with a good recovery from tenth position on the grid.

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Afterwards Andrea Rosso (Cram Motorsport – 1: 45.327), Gabriele Minì (Prema Powerteam – 1: 45.471) and Filip Ugran (Jenzer Motorsport – 1: 45.604).

In the afternoon session, however, it is Pizzi with 1:44.816 who set the fastest time, albeit behind Edgar’s in the first session. Behind the Italian of the VAR his team mate (1: 44.837) and then Minì (1:45.047), driver among other things part of the ACI Team Italia program.

Qualifying 1 and 2 tomorrow at 9.00 and 9.25.

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Pizzi will be racing alongside VAR’s Red Bull Juniors Jonny Edgar and Jak Crawford.

Unlike many in motorsports, Francesco does not come from a long line of related race drivers where one generation is followed by the next. As a matter of fact, the now 15-year-old Italian was the first in his family ever to take on the challenge of racing.

Having that said, it is even more special that Francesco took the wheel of a go-kart already at the very young age of 7-years-old. Only two years later Pizzi entered the ACI Sport Italian Championship, where he impressively showed off his skills by winning the round at South Garda Karting. The years thereafter are characterized by a long list of significant achievements gathered at national- and international karting championships.

Last year, Pizzi made the leap into single seater racing by entering the UAE F4 Championship. His entry didn’t go unnoticed as he pulled a hat-trick on what was his first F4 experience ever. Claiming the victory in all three races made Pizzi immediately the driver to beat and it stayed like that for the remainder of the series. A week before this announcement Francesco impressively clinched the F4 UAE Championship title in his maiden single seater year.

Rob Niessink, CEO at Van Amersfoort Racing: “We are very excited to have Francesco on-board for the upcoming season. He was already on our radar but especially after his performance during the UAE F4 series, it was clear for us we wanted him to join VAR. He is young and very eager to compete at the next level in F4 racing. The Italian Championship is highly competitive and therefore a perfect next step for him. It is clear that we will support Francesco in every step of the way and the crew is very excited to get started with him.”

By taking on the Italian F4 Championship Pizzi is able put valuable miles under his belt and get a good taste of a wide variety of high-profile circuits throughout Europe. Francesco will be sided by ex-F1 driver Gianmaria Bruni, who will offer his support to the young talent during on what still is his first year in Formula 4.

“I’m riding an incredible rollercoaster ride” says Francesco Pizzi. “Only one week ago I lived the highlight of my career by becoming an F4 champion in my rookie year. Now I am packing my bags to join Van Amersfoort Racing in the Italian F4 series! Becoming champion has given me an incredible boost for the new season. I am very well aware that the competition will be fierce, but I am ready and extremely motivated to be successful. I have huge confidence in VAR. They’ve paved the road for so many greats in the sport and being part of this team only motivates me more!”

The Italian F4 Championship also counts 7 race weekends with 3 races each. The series starts in May and runs through to October.

The championship kicks off at the circuit of Monza whereafter the team visits Imola, Vallelunga and Misano. Round 5 and 6 take place across the Italian border at the Hungaroring and Red Bull Ring. The season finale is scheduled early October at the Mugello circuit.

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The 14-year-old Colombian will make his debut in single-seater competition and will enter a program consisting of the full Italian F4 championship and selected races of the German ADAC-promoted Championship.

Montoya, who is the son of Formula 1 racer and double Indy 500 champion Juan Pablo Montoya, is coming from a strong karting career started at the age of 8 in the USA. In recent years, he showed great potential in European competition too, moving up to the OK class ranks in 2019.

Sebastian is now set for his maiden season in auto racing and already started his preparations. In his first test outings, he quickly adapted to the car, impressing the team and doing a remarkable job on track. 

 
Team Principal Angelo Rosin said: “We are delighted to welcome Sebastian to the team. He is a great addition to our line-up and is already experiencing a positive transition to single seaters.”

“For him, this will be a learning year but by what we have seen so far, he can quickly become a leading contender. We cannot wait to get the season started. It will be exciting to work with so many talented young drivers.”
 
Sebastian Montoya added: “I am very excited to start racing cars and to have the opportunity to race F4 in 2020 with such a great team.”

“Prema is a top team and has all the equipment and people to help me learn and grow as a driver. The competition will be tough but it is better because it will make me challenge myself on and off track.”

The post Sebastian Montoya completes Prema’s Formula 4 2020 line up first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

Mini, who will turn 15 on March 20th, is regarded as one of Italy’s brightest rising stars. His roll of honour in karting speaks for itself, featuring many spectacular results delivered with incredible consistency.

After making his debut in 2015, he quickly rose to national fame by winning the 60 Mini Italian Championship two consecutive times. Mini also placed second in the CIK FIA Karting World Championship and won the 2018 WSK Super Master Series in the OKJ class. Last but not least, he cruised to two more runner-up positions in the 2019 FIA European Championship and in the WSK Champions Cup.

Mini will now make a fundamental step in his path towards professionalism. The talented Italian is joining PREMA Powerteam after winning the 2019 edition of the Italian Federation’s ACI Super Course.

Team Principal Angelo Rosin siad: “Gabriele is one of the most outstanding drivers coming from karting competition for this season, so we are delighted to welcome him to the team. He is very talented but also really young so he will have the chance and the ability to learn and make steps throughout the season.”

Gabriele Mini added: “I’m delighted to join Prema Powerteam for the 2020 season. It’s very nice to have my first year in single seater with an Italian team. I know that I will have a lot to learn this season, but I feel ready and I cannot wait to be in my F4 car to start working with my engineer.”

“I would like to thank my management as well as ACI and my sponsors for the trust and support they provide me.”

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The post Red Bull Junior Jak Crawford joins Van Amersfoort for an intense 2020 F4 Race Program in Italy first appeared on InsideRacing.com.

He will enter the full Italian Formula 4 Championship and selected races of the German series. The 15-year-old driver is making the step up to auto racing coming from a complete and successful karting career. 

After debuting in 2012 in Brazil, he moved across the pond in 2016 and started to race at an international level in Europe’s most important competitions. In the following years, he delivered on the expectations, establishing himself as a consistent frontrunner in all the classes he entered.
 
Team Principal Angelo Rosin said: “We are already very excited for the 2020 season. With so many new young drivers, it’s always fascinating to witness the progress and we are inspired by the commitment and dedication we get to see.”

“Gabriel is a proven talent. He is a fierce competitor and can be quick and consistent. We expect him to impress.”
 
Gabriel Bortoleto added: “I am extremely happy. This is an opportunity that I always hoped for, and even more because I am joining a top team like Prema, in a very high-level championship like F4.”

“It will be my first year in single-seaters. I am sure that with Prema, I will learn a lot and we will do a great job together. I can’t wait to start the season.”

The post Gabriel Bortoleto joins Prema’s Formula 4 Team for 2020 first appeared on InsideRacing.com.