Novinky

Victorious weekend for Czech drivers in Most

Tomáš Vacín

The fourth race of the F4 CEZ championship during the Racing Journal SpeedFest weekend at Autodrom Most became a domain for Czech racers. Miroslav Mikeš won the first sprint, and Max Karhan took victory in the third. The only interruption to the home drivers‘ success was Kirill Kutskov, who won the second race.

Although the overall standings are led by Oscar Wurz from Jenzer Motorsport and Kirill Kutskov from Maffi Racing holds second place, it was expected that Mikeš and Karhan would challenge the F4 CEZ leaders. After all, Most is their home circuit, which they know very well, and both had achieved their first podium finishes at the previous event in Slovakia. Mikeš finished second at Slovakia Ring, while Karhan won there for the first time.

The qualifying battle already indicated the dominance of the two Czech favourites. Mikeš from the Czech team JMT Racing secured pole position with an eight-tenths lead over Karhan, followed by Wurz and Kutskov. Their joy was mixed with nerves, though. Would they maintain their positions after the start? Would they avoid trouble in the tricky chicane?

In the end, everything went well, and Mikeš, along with teammates Karhan – Wurz, and Kutskov, finished in the same positions they had started. However, the race was far from drama-free. On the contrary, the difference at the finish in the TOP3 was a mere 0.858 – reflecting how tight and intense the race was.

Spectators got their deserved share of motorsport in the second race, which took place on a wet track and was just as thrilling as the first. The order frequently changed until Wurz lost control of his Formula 4 during braking and collided with Mikeš. The Austrian retired, while home driver Mikeš continued to finish second behind Kutskov. Although Karhan crossed the chequered flag in fourth place, the stewards noticed that he was relegated to fourth by debutant Phillipe Armand Karras during a yellow flag period – thus, Karras received a five-second penalty and dropped to fourth place.

In the final third race, Kutskov led. Wurz unsuccessfully searched for a gap to overtake, while Karhan and Mikeš closed in on him. Towards the end, Karhan showed his Jenzer Motorsport colleague how to overtake at Most. He passed Wurz, swiftly overtook Kutskov, and began to pull away from his pursuers towards his second victory of the season.

Karhan and Mikeš had a points haul at Most. Karhan finished third, second, and first. Mikeš finished fifth, second, and first. Both are now within reach of the current second-placed Kutskov, and the next race will again be on a home circuit – Automotodrom Brno.

However, the F4 CEZ championship is not only about this quartet. The Hungarian team Gender Racing entered with debuting brothers Phillipe Armand Karras and Jean-Paul Karras, and especially Phillipe performed excellently, challenging the leading quartet.

The Czech team F4 CEZ Academy Klub made its debut in the championship with Marek Mičík and Michelle Jandová. She was one of three young women on the field. The others were Michalina Sabaj from AS Motorsport and Kornelia Olkucka from Maffi Racing.

The Racing Journal SpeedFest offered another beautiful showcase of the upcoming drivers generation. With two events remaining in the season, totalling six races, the scales could tip in any direction in the final phase.

Hyundai Janík Motorsport dominates in Most, Adam Kout breaks second-place streak

Tomáš Vacín

The fourth round of TCR Eastern Europe was marked by the success of the Hyundai Janík Motorsport team. Maťo Homola continued his tradition of Saturday victories, while on Sunday, Adam Kout celebrated his first win of the season at the Autodrom Most.

It seemed like the established pattern of this season would continue. In the previous three rounds at Balaton Park, Red Bull Ring, and Slovakia Ring, Maťo Homola with his Hyundai Elantra won every Saturday, and Attila Bucsi with his Hyundai i30 N TCR from the M1RA Motorsport team took the top spot every Sunday.

Homola absolutely dominated the Saturday race in Most. He secured pole position in the wet qualifying session and maintained his lead despite a slight nudge from Giacomo Ghermandi at the first chicane right after the start. Homola held onto first place with Adam Kout closely following him throughout the race. There was no battle between them, and instead, they pulled away from their pursuers, building a comfortable lead at the front.

However, the opening laps behind them were intense, and it took a few minutes for the order to settle. The race finished at a steady pace, which is typical for the first race of the weekend, where the starting grid is determined by qualifying. René Kircher with his Honda Civic from the Mertel Motorsport team secured third place ahead of Attila Bucsi, while Petr Čížek managed to keep Žarko Knego behind him in fifth.

The Sunday race was more exciting. Maťo Homola drew the highest possible number, 10, which meant the top ten drivers were reversed for the second race. Homola and Kout started from the fifth row. After a string of four second-place finishes, Kout was determined not to settle for another silver but aimed to win on his home track. In the first lap, he moved from ninth on the grid to take the lead and never looked back. His race seemed smooth, but two yellow phases and red flags made his path to his first win of the season more complicated. Nevertheless, he managed every restart safely, preventing second-place Petr Čížek with his Cupra from making an attack. Čížek, from the Expres Auto Racing team, achieved his first podium of the year, making it even sweeter as it was on his home track. The podium, filled with smiles, was completed by Croatian Žarko Knego with his Hyundai Elantra, who also celebrated his first top-three finish of the year.

For the first time this season, Attila Bucsi didn’t reach the podium. The young Hungarian had been contending with Homola for the title, but his fourth and sixth places in Most complicated his situation, allowing Adam Kout to close the gap to just six points.

There are still two rounds left in the season, which means the standings, with Homola, Bucsi, and Kout in the top three positions, can still change.

TCR Eastern Europe – Qualifying

TCR Eastern Europe – Race 1

TCR Eastern Europe – Race 2

Driver Standings

Juniors and Teams Standings

Max Karhan becomes third different winner of the weekend at Most

Tomáš Vacín

Great racing marked the third race of the F4 CEZ Championship at Autodrom Most. Kirill Kutskov from Maffi Racing held the lead for most of the race, but Max Karhan from Jenzer Motorsport managed to bounce back from fourth place to the lead and won his second race in Formula 4.

Phillipe Armand Karras and Kirill Kutskov started from the front row, with Oscar Wurz and Max Karhan behind them. The third row belonged to Miroslav Mikeš and Michalina Sabaj.

Kutskov took the lead as pole-sitter Karras dropped to fourth. Wurz immediately moved up to second place and Karhan was third. Those four drivers followed each other closely, creating an intense fight for the win. Kutskov had his mirrors full of blue because Wurz had changed cars after crashing in the second race with his white one.

Karhan went wide at the exit of the last corner and lost his position to Karras. Mikeš soon joined the top four drivers, preparing for an attack. Meanwhile, Karhan retook third place from Karras and then began to chase leaders Kutskov and Wurz, who were able to create a one-second gap. Karhan set the fastest lap of the race and soon was right behind Wurz. But passing on the circuit is not easy, and as Karhan tried hard to find a gap, Karras and Mikeš caught up, making the battle among the top five drivers again.

Max Karhan took second with four minutes to go, putting more pressure on Wurz. Mikeš passed Karras and prepared to attack Wurz but ran wide and lost the position to Karras.

Karhan didn’t wait for an invitation and passed Kutskov as soon as possible, taking the lead on his home track. With Kutskov defending his position from Wurz, Karhan was able to create a comfortable lead for his second win of the season. Kutskov eventually held onto second place, with Wurz finishing third. Karras finished fourth and Mikeš fifth. Michalina Sabaj crossed the finish line in sixth, Marek Mičík seventh, Michelle Jandová eighth, and Kornelia Olkucka finished ninth.

From P9 to win: Adam Kout is the winner of the second race

Tomáš Vacín

Adam Kout finally achieved his first win of the season after a couple of close calls, and there is no better place for it than Autodrom Most, which he knows very well. The driver from Hyundai Janík Motorsport is also the third different winner of the TCR Eastern Europe this season.

Thanks to the draw, the first row belonged to Jorden Dolischka with her Honda Civic and Vít Smejkal with a Cupra. Behind them started Ivars Vallers with an Audi and Jiří Zbožínek with a Hyundai Elantra. Žarko Knego (Hyundai Elantra) and Petr Čížek (Cupra) were in the third row, behind them championship contender Attila Bucsi (Hyundai i30) and René Kircher (Honda Civic). The fifth row belonged to teammates Adam Kout and yesterday’s winner Maťo Homola.

Smejkal took the lead at the lights with Dolischka in second going through the first chicane, and Ivars Vallers in third. Bucsi and Ghermandi had contact, causing Bucsi to go off the track.

Adam Kout had a fantastic opening lap, moving up through the field to lead the race after the first lap. Dolischka attacked Smejkal for second place, as Smejkal spun off into the gravel in the first chicane.

The safety car had to be deployed as Ivars Vallers also ended up in the gravel after hitting the barriers in the last corner. The order behind the safety car was Adam Kout, Petr Čížek, Žarko Knego, Davit Kajaia, Maťo Homola, Giacomo Ghermandi, Jiří Zbožínek, René Kircher, and Jorden Dolischka, who had dropped to the back of the field. However, due to two cars in the gravel and the need to repair the barrier, the race was red-flagged.

After the delay, the race was restarted behind the safety car. Kout kept the lead with Čížek in second and Knego under pressure from Kajaia and Homola. Kout was leading comfortably, looking for his first win of the season after four second places in previous rounds.

Homola soon passed Kajaia and moved into fourth place, but the safety car was deployed again because Giacomo Ghermandi’s car had stopped on the track.

With just two minutes to go, the safety car left the track and the drivers began to race for the last two laps. Kout again smartly made a gap and kept the lead with Čížek and Knego behind him. Kajaia attacked Homola and passed him in the first chicane. Homola dropped behind but soon repassed Kajaia again and retook fourth place.

Adam Kout showed great pace in this red-flag interrupted race and achieved his first win of the season, with home driver Petr Čížek and Žarko Knego finishing third. Championship leader Maťo Homola crossed the finish line fourth, and Davit Kajaia rounded out the top five.

New F4 CEZ Academy team focuses on newcomers

Tomáš Vacín

Starting in the second half of the season, a new team named F4 CEZ Academy Club in AČR will join the F4 CEZ championship. As the name suggests, the team will primarily focus on newcomers and academy members.

The project is led by Lukáš Karhan from Lukamotorsport and Tomáš Mičík, both experienced in motorsport. Their sons are already competing in the F4 CEZ series. Max Karhan race for the Swiss team Jenzer Motorsport and recently secured his first victory at the last event in Slovakia. Marek Mičík is a member of the F4 CEZ Academy and has already competed in two F4 events in Hungary and Austria this year.

The goal of the new Czech team is to provide F4 CEZ Academy members the opportunity to race in a certified Formula 4 championship and create professional conditions for the next stage of their careers.

„We are excited to introduce the F4 CEZ Academy Club in AČR, which will provide young talents with the necessary support and opportunities to enter professional motorsport,“ said team leader Lukáš Karhan and his partner Tomáš Mičík.

The F4 CEZ Academy Club in AČR will be seen at the upcoming event in Most. Michelle Jandová and Marek Mičík will drive the two Tatuus F4-T421 cars. Both have already raced for the SAPE Motorsport team this year.

„Creating our own team is a logical step for the F4 CEZ Academy, as well as involving parents as coaches, mechanics, or sponsors in this new but already strong platform for emerging talents. Michelle Jandová and Marek Mičík are academy members and juniors supported by the Czech Automobile Club,“ said academy co-founder Josef Křenek.

Partners of the F4 CEZ Academy team include Lukamotorsport Czech and the current sponsors of drivers Michelle Jandová and Marek Mičík.

Podium was very important, says Jiří Zbožínek in mid-season

Tomáš Vacín

This year, Jiří Zbožínek moved up from a fourth-generation Renault Clio to a Hyundai Elantra TCR. This step up to a faster car and the TCR Eastern Europe championship has benefited the Czech driver. With Hyundai Janík Motorsport team, he has been closing the gap to his teammates and recently secured his first podium finish in Slovakia.

From last year’s Clio Cup to TCR Eastern Europe with the winning team Janík Motorsport. What motivated this move?
Essentially, it was about finances. After last season in the Clio Cup, where I struggled due to numerous technical issues, I didn’t want to continue with the same car for another year. So, together with my dad, we started looking into the Clio V. However, we found out that the costs were almost on par with a TCR car. We kept pondering this until, during the winter, Janík Motorsport offered me a chance to join their team.

How significant is the step for a driver moving from a Clio to a Hyundai TCR? Did you have any habits from the Clio that you had to unlearn?
For me, it was quite a significant step because the TCR car is heavier, longer, and more powerful. I had to gradually get used to and learn to handle all these aspects, and I’m still learning. One issue was my habit of easing off the throttle too smoothly before corners, which I had to unlearn. The new skills I needed to develop in TCR included braking and car rotation in corners, where the rear end rotates during braking into the turn. Mastering these skills was crucial to keeping up with the fastest drivers.

During the first race weekend, you were still behind your teammates, but you’ve shown progress, culminating in a podium at Slovakia Ring. How important was that third place for you?
It was very important to me personally because I needed a good result. I’m very pleased that I achieved it, especially considering the preparation I did before each weekend and the hard work the team put in to ensure everything was in order. It was great to repay them with a podium finish.

How do you collaborate with team mates Maťo Homola and Adam Kout? How much do they help you progress?
We collaborate by discussing how to improve driving techniques, whether it’s about braking or cornering – basically, the overall driving style. Both have much more experience than I do, so I try to absorb as much knowledge as possible to learn and advance quickly. They have significantly helped my progress by reviewing onboard footage and data with me, analyzing my driving, and giving me advice on what to improve. I am very grateful for their help, which has undoubtedly pushed me forward.

Which race has been your biggest challenge so far, and why?
I’d say Balaton Park was the biggest challenge because it was my first time there, and I was in a new car that I had to adapt to. Additionally, I had to get used to the team, learn how to communicate and work within the team, making it the most challenging race for me in every aspect.

What are your expectations for the second half of the season? And how do you feel about the season finale at the unique Salzburgring? Have you ever raced there before?
I expect to continue where I left off in the second half of the season, and I hope to repeat my podium success. I’m really looking forward to Salzburgring because the track looks interesting and fast, consisting mostly of high-speed corners, which suits me well. I’ve never raced there before, but I’ll do my best to prepare on the simulator.

Support at home track Most is something special, says Adam Kout

Tomáš Vacín

Adam Kout has a clear goal for his second year in TCR Eastern Europe – to improve his position in the final driver standings. In 2023, he secured one win and two additional podium finishes, landing him in third place overall. Moreover, his first victory came at the Autodrom Most, which motivates him to repeat that success in front of his home fans this year.

Adam, you’re in your second year racing in TCR Eastern Europe. How would you assess your experience in this series and with the Hyundai Janík Motorsport team so far?
I’m enjoying racing in TCR Eastern Europe with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR and I’m very grateful to be competing thanks to the ESET RaceStar project. Last year was mainly about gaining experience, but we were competitive and managed to achieve some good results. This year, we’ve built on that, and in most races, we’re fighting for top positions.

Did you set any specific goals for this season?
The goal for this year is to improve on last year’s third place. We have the speed, and I hope luck will be on our side too.

Last year, you won your first TCR Eastern Europe race in Most and in wet conditions. How do you remember that victory?
It was great to win at my home race in Most. It was my first race in the wet with a TCR car, and I was overjoyed. Plus, having my family, friends, and colleagues there to support me made it an intense experience.

How important is fan support to you?
I really appreciate the support, it’s an additional motivation that drives me forward. It’s even more special when we’re racing on home tracks.

How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come with motorsport and sports in general?
I don’t let the pressure get to me. Of course, there’s always a bit of nervousness before the start, but it disappears as soon as the engine starts and then I focus solely on the race.

Can you give us an idea of how you prepare for each race?
Physical preparation is basically year-round. I regularly run, hit the gym, cycle, and do ski mountaineering in the winter. Before race weekends, I review onboards and notes from last year’s races. It’s also crucial to switch my focus from work duties to concentrate fully on performance.

What advice would you give to young racers aspiring to get into motorsport?
If it’s their dream, they need to truly believe in it and train diligently. Then they can become really successful racers.

Max Karhan’s determination pays off with first F4 CEZ victory

Tomáš Vacín

Max Karhan fought hard for his debut victory in the F4 Central European Zone. Throughout the weekend at the Slovakia Ring, he consistently ranked among the top five, but he saved his best performance for the final race.

The Czech driver Max Karhan made his debut in the F4 CEZ in the second half of last season. He joined the Swiss team Jenzer Motorsport, gaining his first experiences on major circuits with a Formula 4 car. Gradually, he picked up speed, and this year, he had his sights set on the podium.

When he arrived at the Slovakia Ring for the third event of the season, he impressed with the fourth-best qualifying time. In the first race on Saturday, he was just a step away from his dream podium, missing third place by only 0.1 seconds.

In the second race, he started again from fourth place and remained in the leading group of drivers, where no one gave an inch of asphalt for free. Tight battles, occasional minor contacts, and frequent overtaking maneuvers characterized the second sprint at the Slovakia Ring. Max was racing on older tires and finished fourth again, saving a fresh set of Pirelli tires for the final sprint.

For the final race, Max started from the front row and immediately took the lead. Although he was briefly overtaken by Oscar Wurz, who had started from fifth, he didn’t let his teammate from Jenzer Motorsport get away. On the contrary, he attacked Wurz and looked for any opportunity to overtake. Their battle was joined by Jonathan Correrella, turning their race to the finish into a spectacular show.

In the final phase of the race, Max made a winning maneuver and left Wurz behind for good. He crossed the finish line with a lead of 0.8 seconds and celebrated his first victory emotionally.

„This is a huge success for me and my career, and I hope more will follow. I’m already looking forward to more great battles on the track,“ said Max, who is the first Czech to win a Formula 4 race certified by the International Automobile Federation in five years. The last time this happened was in 2019, thanks to Roman Staněk in ADAC F4.

Max is part of the F4 Academy team, where he coaches and mentors the new generation of racing drivers. He is also an official representative of the Czech Auto Club and is among the entrants for the FIA Motorsport Games, held every two years. This year’s event will take place in October at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain, where Karhan will compete in the Formula 4 races.

Fantastic battle for the lead and first win for Max Karhan

Tomáš Vacín

A spectacular fight for the win marked the third and final race of the F4 CEZ weekend at Slovakia Ring. Max Karhan from Jenzer Motorsport beat his teammate, race favorite Oscar Wurz, to score his first-ever victory in the championship.

Michalina Sabaj from AS Motorsport started from pole position alongside Max Karhan. In the second row were Jonathan Correrella from the Gender Racing team and Kirill Kutskov from Maffi Racing.

Karhan had the best start, taking the lead in the first corner ahead of Oscar Wurz, who started from fifth place. However, the yellow flag soon waved around the circuit due to an accident between Teodor Borenstein and Gabriel Holguin. Meanwhile, Correrella was spun around by Michelle Jandová, leading to a safety car deployment and then a red flag.

The order was Karhan, Wurz, Kutskov, Mikeš, Jandová, Olkucka, Sabaj, Correrella, and Halatnik.

After the race restart, Wurz took the lead in the first turn, with Karhan dropping to second. Mikeš also passed Kutskov, but in the next lap, he lost control and went off the track. Kutskov then came under pressure from Correrella, who passed him on the sixth lap.

Meanwhile, Karhan was pushing leader Wurz. The two were battling for the lead. They drove side by side in several turns and were soon joined by Correrella. The three fought fairly for the rest of the race. Although Wurz managed to keep his position for most of that time, Karhan made a winning move in the closing stage of the race, took first place and then effectively defended his position. Karhan eventually built a small gap, as Wurz was busy defending his second place from Correrella.

The final F4 CEZ race at Slovakia Ring belonged to Max Karhan, with Wurz finishing second and Correrella third. Kirill Kutskov finished fourth, and Michalina Sabaj, who started from pole position, came in fifth. Miroslav Mikeš from JMT Engineering finished sixth after his trip to the gravel, Franciszek Halatnik from Orlen Janík Motorsport was seventh, Kornelia Olkucka from Maffi Racing was eighth and Michelle Jandová was classified ninth, two laps down due to a spin in the last turn with two laps to go.

Passing one car after another by Max Karhan

Tomáš Vacín

The challenging outcome of the first race at Red Bull Ring turned into a major passing challenge for young driver Max Karhan from Jenzer Motorsport. This is the story about his weekend in Austria, where he competed against 23 other Formula 4 cars.

Max Karhan began his journey in the F4 CEZ series last season with Jenzer Motorsport. Now, he is committed to a full season with the Swiss team and his Tatuus T421 Formula 4 car. The Red Bull Ring was a new track for him, one where he had never competed before.

Karhan scored 25 points in the opening round at Balaton Park. However, the Red Bull Ring posed a greater challenge due to the large field, which included drivers and teams from other championships using the F4 CEZ round as an opportunity to gain more race experience.

Karhan showed great promise in qualifying, setting the tenth-fastest time. He was just behind his teammates Matus Ryba, Oscar Wurz, and Enea Frey. Unfortunately, before he had a chance to showcase his performance in the first race, he was hit from behind, spun out, and ended up on the kerb with his rear wheels in the air. He had to retire.

This incident put him at a disadvantage for the second and third races, where he had to start from the last position. Although it was a setback, it also became a great challenge, he was determined to demonstrate his speed and overtake as many cars as possible.

Karhan drove exceptionally well, fighting with the competition, staying out of trouble, and maximizing his potential. He crossed the finish line in thirteenth place. In the third race, starting from last again, he improved to finish in twelfth place.

While it would have been preferable to avoid the collision and complete the first race, which would have allowed him better starting positions in the subsequent races, Karhan displayed impressive speed and determination at the Red Bull Ring.

The next round of the F4 CEZ will take place next weekend at the Slovakia Ring. Karhan hopes for a smoother event, aiming to keep his car in the points and achieve the best finish of his career. So far, his best finish has been fourth place.