FIA F4 CEZ 2024 | Balaton Park Circuit | Round 1
We kicked off the season on our new home track, with exciting battles and a strong points finish at the Balaton Park!
Useful kilometres
Most of the field already started work in the middle of the week. GRT team also took advantage of the test day on Thursday before the race weekend, where we managed to collect a number of important kilometres. The car was also prepared flawlessly for the weekend, and our driver adapted to the car and the conditions lap by lap, so we were able to start Friday's programme with confidence.
Qualifying
On the first official day of the weekend there were two free practice sessions, where we continued to fine-tune the car for qualifying and to improve the performance of the longer runs. In the afternoon, the adrenaline went high as qualifying got underway, where our driver finished 6th.
First race: podium dreams
Saturday was the time for the first race of the season. The team had been waiting for months for this moment, when the red lights go out! Not in vain, because our young French driver made a sensational start and was already in 3rd place at the first corner. In the long left-hand corner of the track, he was side-by-side with the Chinese driver of Jenzer Motorsport, and after some misunderstanding they collided several times, causing Jonathan to fall back to the back of the field, where he had to continue the race with a damaged side box. Despite this, the race pace was encouraging, as despite the damage he set good lap times and was able to close the gap to the field up to 8th place.
Two very different races on the same day
On Sunday we woke up to the most important day of the weekend. There were only two races left of the weekend, but they had to be run on the same day. The key was to make sure that there were no major problems with the car in the morning race, as the minimal gap time meant that there would be no time to repair any major damage for the last race. Jonathan took to the grid this morning with this in mind. Unfortunately, his race was sealed as soon as the red lights went out, as he made a mistake on the start and was unable to start the race with the rest of the field, and was forced to chase the field from the pit lane. Despite this, he was in the middle of the field in terms of sector times.
"I stalled at the start and I feel like I let the team down. I'm very angry with myself because we didn't get the chance to show our potential. I’m sure that this never happens again, because it is unacceptable by my side."
After lengthy analysis with our engineers, our driver was able to get back in the car for the last race with a clear head. We knew he would be keen to show what he could do, as he felt that the hard work of the team had made the car competitive over the weekend. He got into position with a good run, then overtook in a tough battle with some good manoeuvres, and saw the chequered flag in 5th place. After the finish, penalties were handed out by the race directors and the final results were slightly altered, resulting a 4th place for Jonathan Correrella and for GRT.
"We have a very good base to work on and prepare for the Austrian round. Our pace was good throughout and we have continued to understand the car throughout the weekend. I think we will have the opportunity to show our potential for the rest of the season!"
To be continued in Austria
The next round of the championship will be held at the stunning Red Bull Ring in Spielberg from 17 to 19 May.
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