Zeller enjoys a strong weekend and takes the lead in the standings

Round 04: Austria Formula Cup – Vallelunga (ITA)

At the fourth round of the Austria Formula Cup season in Vallelunga, Italy, spectators were treated to an eventful race weekend featuring thrilling duels, challenging conditions and significant changes in the championship standings. With air temperatures exceeding 30 degrees and track temperatures nearing 60 degrees, the drivers and cars were put to the test on the demanding circuit.

Sprint Race: Zeller fights his way back to the top
The 20-minute sprint race began with a turbulent start. Due to the prescribed starting grid with reversed top-eight positions, Antonino Pellegrino started from pole position, with Laurence Balestrini alongside him. Balestrini got off to the better start and initially took the lead, before Pellegrino was able to overtake him again. For championship leader Andrea Benalli, however, the race came to a bitter end as early as the first lap. Following a technical problem, he lost a significant amount of speed under braking and collided with Marco Falci. Both cars were forced to retire, whilst the safety car period initially neutralised the race. After the restart, a thrilling battle for the top places unfolded. Sandro Zeller, who had started further back on the grid, steadily worked his way up the field and eventually prevailed over Pellegrino. Behind them, Christof Ledermann and Stig Larsen engaged in a thrilling duel for the remaining podium places. In the end, Sandro Zeller (SUI / Jo Zeller Racing) took the win ahead of Stig Larsen (DEN / G Motorsport) and Christof Ledermann (SUI / Franz Wöss Racing). Francesco Solfaroli finished fourth, followed by Antonino Pellegrino in fifth.

Feature Race: Zeller confirms his strength
Sandro Zeller once again demonstrated his class in Sunday’s main race, confirming his strong form. The Swiss driver once again prevailed over his rivals and picked up vital championship points. Behind Zeller, an intense battle unfolded for the remaining positions. Stig Larsen put in a strong performance and secured another top finish, finishing the main race in second place. Solfaroli impressed with a third-place finish. Christof Ledermann also put in a competitive performance, confirming the strength of the Franz Wöss Racing cars. He brought his car home in fourth place. André Petropoulos also picked up vital points and once again demonstrated his potential in the highly competitive field of the Austria Formula Cup. For Andrea Benalli, the main race also did not go to plan. After the co-favourite for the championship was forced to retire early in the sprint race following an incident on the first lap, he was denied success on Sunday as well. The Puresport driver was unable to get involved in the battle for the top positions and consequently lost further vital points in the title race. Following his strong start to the season, Benalli suffered a setback at Vallelunga, causing him to fall behind Sandro Zeller in the overall standings.

After the weekend at Vallelunga, Sandro Zeller (SUI / Jo Zeller Racing) now leads the championship with 120 points. He is followed by Michael Fischer (AUT / Red Rose Racing by LRT) on 92 points. Andrea Benalli (ITA / Puresport) is in third place with 74 points following his retirement at Vallelunga. Stig Larsen (DEN / Franz Wöss Racing + G Motorsport) is in fourth place with 59 points, followed by André Petropoulos (GER / Team Hoffmann Racing) with 52 points. Christof Ledermann (SUI / Franz Wöss Racing) is also within striking distance of the leading group. Following his successful weekend at Vallelunga, Sandro Zeller has taken the lead in the overall standings, once again underlining his ambitions in the title race. The upcoming races promise further thrilling battles for victories, podium places and crucial championship points.