Last weekend, the high-speed Monza circuit hosted the third round of the 2025 BOSS GP Racing Series.

Participants in the FORMULA, FORMULA Pro and SUPER LIGHTS classes enjoyed an exciting weekend at the Formula 1 circuit. Alongside the Eurocup-3 junior formula racing series, the main attractions of this new event were the Big Open Single Seaters, consisting of World Series, GP2, Formula 2, Auto GP and Formula Renault V6.

FORMULA PRO
Qualifying saw a duel between the two championship leaders, Haralds Slegelmilhs (HS Engineering) from Latvia and Simone Colombo (MM International) from Italy. With changing conditions from wet to dry, the key was to find the right time to change tyres and set a fast lap. Max Cuccarese (MM International, Italy) and Marco Ghiotto (Scuderia Palladio, Italy) were also among the frontrunners during the 30-minute qualifying session. However, it was ultimately the experienced Slegelmilhs who secured pole position on the final lap.

Both races were characterised by drafting and fierce battles between the top drivers. In the first race, Slegelmilhs initially remained in first place in the World Series T12, defending hard against Colombo in the GP2/11. After a restart, Colombo pushed hard but braked too late in the first chicane. This caused him to lose several positions and contact with Slegelmilhs. However, the 2022 and 2023 champion was at least able to regain second place behind race winner Slegelmilhs.

Both races were characterised by slipstream duels and fierce battles between the top drivers. In the first race, Slegelmilhs initially remained in front in the World Series T12 and defended hard against Colombo in the GP2/11. Colombo pushed hard after the restart, but braked too late at the first chicane. This caused him to lose several positions and touch with Slegelmilhs. Nevertheless, the former 2022 and 2023 champion was still able to secure second place behind race winner Slegelmilhs. 

Colombo planned revenge in the second race and took the lead at the start, but Slegelmilhs countered once again. The two continued to battle back and forth before Slegelmilhs broke away in the middle of the race to win it. Despite putting up a good fight, Colombo came second again.

Third place was no less hotly contested: Max Cuccarese in the Formula 2 and Marco Ghiotto in the GP2 battled it out throughout. Shortly before the end, Ghiotto overtook Cuccarese on the straight but braked too late, cutting across the grass to get back onto the track. Meanwhile, Cuccarese got stuck behind Henry Clausnitzer, who had been lapped. This resulted in a collision that took SUPER LIGHTS leader Clausnitzer out of the race. Ultimately, Ghiotto remained in third place and Cuccarese finished fourth. The second race saw a similar duel, with a better outcome for Cuccarese this time, as he finished on the podium for the first time this season. This came after Ghiotto drove into Cuccarese's car into the first chicane. Surprisingly, both drivers were able to continue with only minor damage.

Michael Fischer (AUT, LRT by Red Rose Racing) and Thomas Zeltner (SUI, Scuderia Palladio) battled for fourth place on Saturday and fifth place on Sunday. Fischer switched from a GP2 car to a World Series car after experiencing technical issues prior to qualifying, and was immediately competitive. At the finish line, only a second separated the young Austrian and the Swiss BOSS GP rookie.

FORMULA
Paul O'Connell (IRE, HS Engineering) won both races at Monza, building on his successes at Hockenheim and the Nürburgring. However, Martin Kindler (SUI, Jenzer Motorsport) was close behind, especially in Race 1. The former hill climb driver is only competing in selected races this year, but he was competitive right from the outset. Towards the end of Race 1, he was closing in on O'Connell, the race leader, before he took the Parabolica corner too fast and spun. This ruined both his chances of victory and of a podium finish. It did not look like O'Connell would secure another victory in Race 2 either, as he was in last place after Lap 1. However, a magnificent comeback and a little help from a safety car phase midway through the race ultimately enabled him to secure his sixth victory in the sixth race of the season.

Having recovered from a rib injury, Stephan Glaser (SUI, Scuderia Palladio) was back in action, making his two podium finishes all the more impressive. After Kindler's spin, Glaser finished second in Race 1 and third in Race 2, behind O'Connell and Kindler.

Italian driver Marco Minelli (AM Sport System) finished third in Race 1 and was delighted to secure another podium finish in only his second race of the season. In Race 2, he finished just ahead of Roland Rupprechter (AUT, R&B Research & Wealth Management) in fourth place. Rupprechter finished fifth twice. Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA, Zig Zag), the only driver in the Auto GP Lola, was also able to improve his pace over the weekend. The Frenchman narrowly missed out on the podium with fourth place. Walter Steding (DEU, Scuderia Palladio) was also on course for a podium finish, qualifying second in his class. However, gearbox damage forced him to end his race weekend early. Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (AUT, Red Rose Racing by LRT) was also unlucky, retiring from the race early on both occasions.

SUPER LIGHTS
Walter Colacino (ITA) celebrated a home victory in the V6 cars and Formula 3000 on Saturday. On Sunday, Henry Clausnitzer (GER, WF Racing) won and climbed onto the legendary winner's podium in Monza.

The fourth race weekend of the 2025 BOSS GP Racing Series will take place in Assen from 8 to 10 August. Everyone, who does not want to wait, can rewatch both Monza races on our BOSS GP YouTube channel

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP