PREMA Racing scores triple win at Misano

PREMA Racing experienced another extremely positive weekend in round 2 of the Italian Formula 4 Championship at Misano. Lining up at the Adriatic venue, the Italian squad delivered a stunning triple pole, which was followed by a triple win. 

Andrea Kimi Antonelli was the speed master in qualifying, achieving three pole positions. The 15-year-old Italian had three lively races and managed to win the first two with hard-fought rebounds from tough starts. Antonelli sailed away in race 3, before being nipped after a late safety car by teammate Rafael Camara. The Ferrari Driver Academy Brazilian thus secured his third win in the series to solidify his lead in the driver standings. 

Australian FDA racer James Wharton and Austrian Charlie Wurz also brought home podium finishes, although they didn’t enjoy consistent luck throughout the weekend, showing more potential than the eventual results told. Dane Conrad Laursen also showcased considerable improvement. The 16-year-old claimed three points finishes. As well as the whole team, he is looking forward to the upcoming cross-border championship event at Spa-Francorchamps.

“It was a positive weekend in the end, fighting for the podium places in each race. However, it ended on a low, being rear ended in Race 3 and subsequently getting a puncture while running in P3. But we know the pace is there to achieve some better results in the coming races. And a big thanks to the team for the fast car.”

Qualifying 1: P5

Qualifying 2: P2

Starting Grid Race 1: P5

Starting Grid Race 2: P2

Starting Grid Race 3: P3

Fastest lap: 1:35.610

Fastest lap: 1:35.309

Race 1: P4

Race 2: P2

Race 3: P27

“It has been a great weekend and we really showed some speed. We kept improving since practice and we did a good job in qualifying when, thanks to my engineer, I managed to find the right space to make push laps and got three pole positions. In race 1 I didn’t defend well in the first lap and that cost me the lead. However, I started pressuring the driver in front and, after a few attempts, I managed to find the space and pass him. In race 2 the start wasn’t perfect and again I had to fight back to the front of the pack but we made it, and won. In race 3, the start was really good and we quickly opened a gap. Towards the end, the safety car came in and reset everything. In the re-start, I made a mistake while defending and I had to be content with P2. It’s not the way I wanted to finish, but otherwise, the weekend was great.”

Qualifying 1: P1

Qualifying 2: P1

Starting Grid Race 1: P1

Starting Grid Race 2: P1

Starting Grid Race 3: P1

Fastest lap: 1:35.052

Fastest lap: 1:34.909

Race 1: P1

Race 2: P1

Race 3: P2

“The second round of Italian championship is done in Misano, and it was a positive one with some good points, a podium and a top-5 finish. Unfortunately, a DNF in the last race which comprised the final outcome but overall we have things to take away and some good thing learnt. Now, on to Spa!”

Qualifying 1: P3

Qualifying 2: P3

Starting Grid Race 1: P3

Starting Grid Race 2: P3

Starting Grid Race 3: P4

Fastest lap: 1:35.515

Fastest lap: 1:35.329

Race 1: P5

Race 2: P3

Race 3: P29

“Difficult weekend again. Pace was there at times but still we were still lacking a bit. We are getting better and better, but we’re not close to where we want to be yet. We keep on working.”

Qualifying 1: P7

Qualifying 2: P5

Starting Grid Race 1: P7

Starting Grid Race 2: P5

Starting Grid Race 3: P8

Fastest lap: 1:35.703

Fastest lap: 1:35.481

Race 1: P6

Race 2: P6

Race 3: P5

“It was a good weekend, and now we are the championship leader. We want to still try to keep improving for the next races, we are happy for the weekend and the team did a really good job.”

Qualifying 1: P2

Qualifying 2: P4

Starting Grid Race 1: P2

Starting Grid Race 2: P4

Starting Grid Race 3: P2

Fastest lap: 1:35.318

Fastest lap: 1:35.428

Race 1: P2

Race 2: P4

Race 3: P1