Formula 4 in Monza

The fourth round of the 2023 Italian Formula 4 Championship took place at the world famous Autodrome Nazionale di Monza. The so-called Temple of speed is known for its long straights and chicanes with hard braking zones. 

Typical for the Italian Summer almost every session took place with an air temperature of more than 30 degrees, which makes it not only difficult for the drivers to keep a cool head, but also for the mechanics and engineer trackside. 

The 4 hours collective test on Thursday didn't go well for PHM Racing. Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi was the highest placed driver of the team only in 19th position. There was a lot of work to do for the drivers and engineers before the free practice and qualifying on Friday.

The first practice on Friday morning, where the track only had a temperature of 27 degrees went quite well for the team. Valentin Kluss finished the session in 12th position only 0.7 seconds behind the leader, at a track where a good slipstream can give you a few tenths of a second.

The second practice and qualifying took place with a track temperature of more than 40 degrees, which makes it hard for the drivers to keep the tires alive. James Egozi did a good job finishing the first qualifying in 12th position only 2 thousandths of a second behind 11th position. Valentin Kluss who set the exact same lap time (1:53.332) than 15th place finished both qualifyings in 16th place, not far from the points positions. 

The first race took place in the midday heat of Monza. Before the start of the race, everyone tried to stay as cool as possible and looked for places in the shade. The grid was overshadowed by sunshades that the mechanics held over the drivers' cockpits to keep them reasonably cool from the even hotter temperatures in the car during the race.

James Egozi finished the first race after a good drive in 8th position taking home four points for him and the team. Unfortunately Valentin Kluss had to retire from the race just 2 laps before the end, after he lost his front wing in a three car fight out of the first chicane. Points would be very possible. Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi finished the race just about 1.5 seconds out of the points positions in 12th place, while Victoria fighted her way through the field from 27th position up to 19th positions but unfortunately received a 5 second time penalty for track limits and so finished in 24th place and third in the women's category.

The second race went very well for Valentin Kluss. After intense fights and slipstream battles he made up 10 positions in the race and finished in 6th place, getting 8 very rewarding points for that. Victoria Blokhina again had a race with a lot of overtakes and finished in 20th place. She won the women's category in the second race ever so slightly, just 0.169 seconds ahead of one of her rivals in the category.

The last race of the weekend saw the hottest track temperature of the weekend for Formula 4 with 48 degrees, making it very hard for the drivers to keep the already used tires alive during the 17 laps of the final race. During a fight for points James Egozi unfortunately spun around at the second chicane of the circuit and came home in 20th place in the end. Valentin Kluss tried everything to score some more points in the race, but his tires were already too worn. Victoria finished the race in  21st place and second in the women's category, where she now has a lead of 43 points of the second placed driver. 

After 4 of 7 rounds of the 2023 Italian F4 Championship Valentin Kluss is with 34 points the highest placed PHM Racing driver in 13th place. James Egozi comes next in 16th place with 12 points. Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi collected 4 points so far and sits in 20th position. Victoria Blokhina is still to score points yet in the overall standings. PHM Racing is with 48 points overall 5th in the team standings just a few points behind the 4th placed team.

The next round will take place from the 21st of July to the 23rd of July at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France. The team will give everything to set up the cars as best as possible to fight for more points once again.