Gianluca Petecof wins at Mugello as Italian F4 title rivals retire

Photo: Prema Powerteam

Prema?s Guanluca Petecof claimed his first Italian Formula 4 victory in race one of the Mugello season closer as title rivals Enzo Fittipaldi and Leonardo Lorandi collided.

Petecof snatched the lead from poleman Fittipaldi off the line and was untouchable thereon. Fittipaldi tried to stay in touch with his team-mate but soon found himself under pressure from championship leading Bhaitech driver Lorandi.

Midway through the race, Lorandi made a move up the inside of Fittipaldi, who tried to hold the position as the pair ran through the next corner, with Lorandi again holding the inside line. They touched and Fittipaldi was forced wide through the gravel and into the wall, ending his race.

Lorandi was able to continue but didn?t have the same pace. Olli Caldwell, who had been watching the battle from fourth, quickly passed, with Andres Estner, William Alatalo and Giorgio Carrara following him past over the next two laps. In the closing laps Lorandi ventured to the pits, also ending his race.

Caldwell couldn?t challenge Petecof, finishing 2.591 seconds behind, but second place meant he is now within 20 points of the championship lead, but 25 behind when dropped scores is taken into consideration.

Van Amersfoort Racing driver Estner finished on the podium on his first start of the year, taking third ahead of Mucke Motorsport’s Alatalo and Jenzer Motorsport’s Carrara, who spent most of the race battling.

After a difficult qualifying, Lorandi’s team-mate Petr Ptacek enjoyed a strong recovery drive to finish sixth and top rookie, ahead of Niklas Krutten and Alessandro Famularo. Marzio Moretti and Sebastian Estner completed the points.

Race results (17 laps)