The Automotodrom Brno hosted the penultimate round of this year’s F4 CEZ season, with Czech driver Max Karhan once again taking the spotlight. Over the course of the weekend’s three races, he collected the most points of any driver and claimed victory in two of them. The final sprint was won by Kirill Kutskov.
The expectation of an exciting weekend was set right after qualifying. The pole position went to Kirill Kutskov from Maffi Racing, but Max Karhan was right behind, missing out by just 0.057 seconds. Championship leader Oscar Wurz, Karhan’s teammate from Jenzer Motorsport, was only 0.261 seconds off the pace. Miroslav Mikeš from JMT Racing finished fourth, meaning the top four in the standings lined up in close proximity on the grid for the first race.
Karhan had the best start in the opening sprint, and as he looked in his rearview mirrors, his nearest competitors were fading into the distance. Both Kutskov and Wurz struggled at the start, losing several seconds.
To the delight of the fans, the top two positions were taken by the home favourites Karhan and Mikeš. While Karhan steadily built his lead, Mikeš came under pressure from Kutskov. Eventually, the Czech driver was overtaken by Kutskov, but Maffi racer couldn’t close the gap to Karhan. The first sprint ended with Karhan taking victory ahead of Kutskov and Mikeš. Young Australian Joanne Ciconte finished fourth, followed by Wurz in fifth.
For the second race, Karhan started from pole position ahead of Kutskov and Mikeš. However, it was Mikeš who, with a fantastic start, took the lead at the first corner and enjoyed a clear track ahead. But Karhan wasn’t one to wait long and moved into the lead on the second lap. He stayed in front until the end, even during a yellow flag phase caused by a collision between Kirill Kutskov and Miroslav Mikeš. Although Mikeš was hit from behind, he fortunately managed to continue, finishing fifth behind Simon Schranz, Nathanael Berreby, Wurz, and race winner Karhan.
In the final third race, Kirill Kutskov made a comeback. Starting from seventh, he quickly made his way through the field and soon found himself in second place behind Wurz. In the fourth lap, he took the lead and maintained a comfortable gap, crossing the finish line in first place ahead of Wurz, Mikeš, and Karhan.
Throughout the weekend, Wurz, Kutskov, Karhan, and Mikeš were regulars on the podium, with the only driver breaking into their ranks being Nathanael Berreby from Maffi Racing, who finished third in the second race. Berreby was often involved in on-track battles with Simon Schranz from Renauer Motorsport, providing spectators with thrilling, wheel-to-wheel duels. Similarly, Kornelia Olkucka (Maffi Racing) and Michalina Sabaj (AS Motorsport) engaged in some fierce racing. Joanne Ciconte from AS Motorsport also impressed, making her F4 CEZ debut and finishing fourth in the opening race.
Oscar Wurz continues to hold a solid 49-point lead in the overall drivers‘ standings after the Brno weekend, giving him a strong advantage going into the final race at his home circuit in Salzburgring. The fight for second place is, however, heating up, with Max Karhan now just seven points behind Kirill Kutskov, who has 201 points.
RACE RESULTS:
F4 CEZ Qualifying
F4 CEZ Race 1
F4 CEZ Race 2
F4 CEZ Race 3
STANDINGS:
Standings
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