The Formula 4 Spanish Championship returned to Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto for a challenging weekend, which nevertheless provided the team with valuable lessons and helped identify areas for improvement ahead of the final stages of the season.
After a month-long break, the F4 Spanish Championship returned to action this weekend for the fifth round of the season, which is now entering its final stages. The venue was Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, a legendary track steeped in history and one that holds fond memories for GRS, having previously secured four podium finishes and three pole positions at the circuit.
The team took part in the race weekend with a change to its driver line-up, although no new faces were involved. Cars No. 74 and No. 83 remained unchanged, with regular drivers Pablo Riccobono and Alfons Miettinen respectively behind the wheel. Meanwhile, Ryusho Nakazato, who had already competed with GRS Team at the MotorLand Aragón round, returned to car No. 96 as planned, as part of his three-round programme.
The event week allowed the team to build up mileage at Jerez across three days of testing and free practice. Our drivers were on track on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, aiming to arrive at the race weekend well prepared and with the car set-up optimised.
Saturday’s on-track action began with the first qualifying session. Our drivers gave their all to improve on the results of recent rounds, but it proved difficult. Competition on the grid was extremely close, and a red flag in the closing minutes denied GRS its final opportunity to improve its times. Miettinen ultimately qualified P28, with Riccobono in P32 and Nakazato in P34.
In Race 1, Pablo made a great start and quickly moved into the Top 25. Alfons was also fighting in that group, while Ryusho gained several positions off the line. Following a red-flag interruption, both the Finn and the Japanese driver were involved in minor incidents that cost them positions, but they remained in the race. Pablo maintained a consistent pace to finish 26th, while Alfons took 31st and Ryusho 32nd.
Race 2 also began with strong starts from our drivers, who were fighting in the Top 25. Riccobono and Miettinen spent much of the race in similar positions and crossed the finish line together, in P25 and P26 respectively. While fighting to reach that group, Nakazato was hit by another driver and forced to retire.
Sunday began with a disappointing qualifying session, which confirmed that Miettinen would start Race 3 from 30th, followed immediately by Riccobono and Nakazato.
The final race was short-lived for Nakazato and Riccobono. The Japanese driver suffered a mechanical issue that prevented him from starting, while the Spaniard was involved in an incident on the opening lap. He was able to return to the pits, but the damage could not be repaired and he was forced to retire. Miettinen was the only GRS driver to finish the race and delivered a positive performance, gaining several positions after a red flag and making some excellent overtakes to cross the line in P25.
It was therefore a difficult weekend, with GRS finishing well outside the points. As the season approaches its conclusion, the team will continue working to improve its performance ahead of the final two rounds. All the drivers and team members gave their very best in the pursuit of stronger results, and we will keep pushing in that direction.
F4 Spanish Championship will return in just two weeks. Circuito de Navarra will host the sixth and penultimate round of the season from October 9–11.
