Benjamin Berta (Franz Wöss Racing) crowned champion in Tuscany

Drexler-Automotive Formula Cup - Mugello (ITA)

The trip to Tuscany was worthwhile for Benjamin Berta in all respects. The Hungarian from the Franz Wöss Racing team scored the necessary points to win the title at the 8th round of the Drexler Formula Cup in Mugello. The final was marked by enormous tension and, as was to be expected, the Formula 3 drivers from the ZINOX F2000 Trophy did not play an unimportant role in the awarding of points. Francesco Galli (G Motorsport) took pole position in qualifying with a 1:39.917, beating Juju Noda (Noda Racing) by 0.467 seconds. Benjamin Berta was close behind, ahead of defending champion Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing). The start of the first race on Sunday morning was delayed by 45 minutes due to a wall of fog in Mugello. In the start duel Galli kept the upper hand against Berta and Noda, while Sandro Zeller lost his fourth position to Bernardo Pellegrini (HT Powertrain). In the early stages, a safety car period neutralised the race. Bejamin Berta completed the re-start flawlessly and passed Galli, with the Italian reacting immediately to regain first position. The pace of the group of three with Berta, Galli and Noda was impressive. They managed to open a gap to the chasers. Galli didn't let up and took his chance to overtake Berta in a manoeuvre. Behind them, the positions were decided. Galli won ahead of Berta, who was crowned champion early. Behind Noda and Pellegrini, Sandro Zeller finished in fifth place.

In the second race Juju Noda was in top form. The Japanese still had the runner-up title in her sights. To do so, however, she needed a victory, which she achieved with impressive routine and a very good pace. At first Francesco Galli really held his own. Even at the restart after a safety car phase, the Italian initially parried Noda's attacks, while Benjamin Berta, behind him in third place, stayed out of the duel. Twice Noda had tried to get next to Galli at the end of the start straight. At the third attempt she managed to pass Galli. After that Noda drove like unleashed to her seventh victory in the Drexler Formula Cup. Benjamin Berta finished third behind Galli with a time of 6.851 seconds, while Sandro Zeller missed out on important points with fifth place and thus had to concede the runner-up title to Noda. In the end, Sandro Zeller was three points short. At the finish line, Juju Noda's joy was literally written all over her face. And just a few metres away from her, Benjamin Berta and his Franz Wöss Racing team were celebrating their first Formula 3 Cup title. Vaclav Safar (GT2 Motorsport), who won the Formula 3 Trophy at the finale in Mugello in a Dallara prepared by Franz Wöss Racing, was also a runner-up. Francesco Solfaroli (Facondini Racing) was third in the final standings, with Marcel Tobler (Jo Zeller Racing) already the champion before the final. In the Formula Light category, Dr.Norbert Groer (Team Hoffmann Racing) narrowly missed out on defending his title. Fabio Turchetto (A.S.D.Ruote Scoperte) is the new title holder. For Dr. Norbert Groer, the vice-championship remains ahead of the very strong Stefano Palummieri (PLM Racing), who secured third place in the final standings with his double victory in Mugello.

RS.09.10.2023
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