26 JUN 2017

Three is the magic number for team DR Formula as it took three podium finishes over three races, in the third round of the Italian F4 at Vallelunga. At the Roman circuit, team and drivers made a great step forward in the championship, scoring important points. Artem Petrov, claimed the pole position in Q1 and set the second quickest lap time in Q2, before taking one third and two second places. Aldo Festante finished third in race three, whilst Felipe Branquinho started his weekend with a second place in the Rookies.

It was an absolutely very good weekend, expecially for Petrov. The Russian racer maintained the lead at the race one start, but moved second during the first lap and finished third after having damaged a suspension on a curb. In the same race Festante recovered well entering the top 10, before hitting another car and having forced to retire. Branquinho also made a good job, claiming second among the Rookies and 13th overall with 27 cars on track.

In Race 2 Petrov started from second and maintained his position from light to flag. Festante, started from fifth on the grid and not third due to a two-position penalty for the contact he had in the previous race. Eventually the Italian driver recovered fourth. Branquinho finished on 17th.

In race three, Festante started from the pole position having set the second fastest lap in the qualifying, with Petrov completing the first row. The Russian took the lead at the green, before Festante passed him again. At the Roma bend the Italian made a little mistake that let Petrov to attack him at the Tornantino where they had a slight contact. Petrov paid a five-second penalty. Due to a good pace, DR Formula driver finished anyhow second, followed by Festante. Poor luck for Branquinho, who finished back with a broken wing.

Petrov is currently fourth in the standings, 14 points from the lead. Festante is eight. Branquinho is fourth in the Rookies. The next round of the Italian series will take at the Mugello circuit in the middle of July.