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The third season of the F4 Central European Zone championship kicked off at the Red Bull Ring with a grid of over 20 drivers. While Bart Harrison delivered dominant performances in the opening two sprints, it was Luca Viisoreanu’s bold tire gamble that stole the spotlight in the final race.
Just like last year, the Red Bull Ring welcomed more than twenty Formula 4 cars for the season opener—and this year was no different. Swiss outfit Jenzer Motorsport showed up with a seven-car squad, their blue-and-black machines dominating much of the top ten positions. Over the weekend, it was mainly Britain’s Bart Harrison and Argentina’s Gino Trappa setting the pace. They locked out the front row in qualifying and finished first and second—in the same order—in both of the first two races.
That’s not to say they were unchallenged. Far from it. Their Jenzer teammates, along with Real Racing’s Luca Viisoreanu and AS Motorsport’s Chase Fernandez, were always lurking close behind. But their on-track skirmishes often played into Harrison’s hands, allowing him to build comfortable leads and take relatively straightforward victories. Behind Harrison and Trappa, Fernandez finished third in Race 1, while David Walther of Maffi Racing grabbed the final podium spot in Race 2.
For anyone who thought the front of the field was a bit too predictable, the third and final race delivered a twist. About an hour before lights out, rain swept over the circuit, leaving the track damp as the F4 grid lined up. A flurry of last-minute decisions followed. Slicks or wets? Everyone bolted on wet-weather tires except Luca Viisoreanu on pole position.
The race began behind the safety car for safety reasons. As expected, Viisoreanu struggled for grip at first, and he quickly dropped to fourth once the green flags waved. But he knew his moment would come. The track dried rapidly, and once he’d brought his tires up to temperature, he surged forward after another yellow flag period. No one could touch him. The Romanian racer charged to victory with an eight-second margin over Trappa.
But behind them, the fight for third delivered a thrilling photo finish. The numbers say it all: Harrison crossed the line just 0.033 seconds ahead of Max Karhan, who in turn edged out Javier Herrera by a mere 0.010 seconds. And just 0.023 seconds further back came Hady Mimassi.
That’s how razor-close the battle for third through sixth was in the final race at the 4.318-kilometer Red Bull Ring. While this opening round may have hinted at a few early favorites, it ultimately showed that many drivers have the potential to win. In a field this competitive, it’s all about nailing the perfect setup, being fully prepared, and relying on a strong team.
RACE RESULTS:
