Five drivers from F4 CEZ participated in the FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia last weekend, and all of them demonstrated their skills, although some were unlucky in the final battle for medals.
This year’s F4 CEZ champion Oscar Wurz, third in the standings Max Karhan, along with Jean Paul Karras, Andrea Kostic, and Matus Ryba took part in the unique „Olympic Games of motorsport“ at Valencia in the F4 race.
All of them know each other from F4 CEZ this year. Wurz from Austria and Karhan from the Czech Republic raced the entire season, while Karras from Greece, Kostic from Serbia, and Ryba from Slovakia participated in selected races.
The FIA Motorsport Games took place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. The Formula 4 event began with two 45-minute practice sessions. Karras won the opening practice and finished third in the second.
The Saturday´s morning qualifying session took place under wet conditions, where the last driver to cross the finish line had the best chance at setting the fastest lap. Karras set the 7th fastest time, with Ryba in 10th, Kostic in 12th, Karhan in 14th, and Wurz in 15th.
Later in the afternoon, the qualifying race was on the schedule. This race was crucial, determining the starting order for Sunday’s final medal race. Ryba had a fantastic qualifying race, moving up to 5th place in the 20-minute session, becoming the best-placed F4 CEZ participant. Karhan moved to 9th, with Karras, Wurz, and Kostic right behind him.
The final race took place on Sunday, with Ryba starting from the third row. The fifth and sixth rows included drivers familiar from F4 CEZ. Unfortunately, for three of them, the race didn’t last long.
Wurz didn’t even complete the first lap; after a collision with another car, he retired with a broken suspension. Karras, fiercely defending his position against Karhan, braked unexpectedly early in a corner, causing Karhan to collide with him. Both retired after the second lap.
Ryba was racing in the top five but eventually lost his position due to a time penalty for track limits, dropping to ninth place behind Kostic, who finished eighth and thus became the highest-placed driver from F4 CEZ.
The FIA Motorsport Games showcased the impressive pace and talent of the F4 CEZ drivers. Despite some bad luck, Karhan, Karras, Kostic, Ryba, and Wurz proved to be highly competitive among a field of over 20 cars.
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