2024 F2000 Italian Formula Trophy

The 2024 Zinox Laser F2000 Italian Formula Trophy was a multi-event open-wheel single seater motor racing championship. This was the eleventh season of the series, featuring a mix of professional and amateur drivers competing in different classes and using multiple kinds of Formula 3- and Formula Renault-level machinery.^[1] The championship continued its cooperation with the Drexler-Automotive Formula Cup, with the two series sharing grids and race slots on multiple race weekends.^[2]

Franz Wöss Racing's Benjámin Berta won the F2000 Trophy, but had to concede victory in the top-level Super Formula Class to G Motorsport's Francesco Galli, while Viola Formula Racing's Emir Tanju was the overall winner in the F2.0 Cup and with it also won the F2.0 Open Class. Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing), Ahmad Shaheen Al Muhannadi (Puresport), Giovanni Giordano (Giordano Motorsport), Luca Iannacone (Neri Autosport), Sergio Conti (ASD Ruote Scoperte M.) and Fabio Turchetto (ASD Ruote Scoperte M.) also took titles in their respective classes. Franz Wöss Racing and Viola Formula Racing took the Teams' Championships in the F2000 Trophy and the F2.0 Cup, respectively.

Teams and drivers competing in the F2000 Trophy were divided into four classes: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze ranked the field based on the cars' age and technical characteristics as well as the drivers' experience.^[3] For competition in the F2.0 Cup, the field was divided into Pro and Light entries.^[4]

All drivers competed driving Tatuus FR2.0 cars with Renault engines.

The 2024 calendar was announced in early 2024.^[12] The round at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was replaced by a round at Monza Circuit, leaving the championship with only a single round abroad Italy.

The 2024 F2000 Italian Formula Trophy commenced at Vallelunga, where Francesco Galli of G Motorsports secured pole position.^[13] Despite initially falling to third behind Benjámin Berta of Franz Wöss Racing and Sandro Zeller of Jo Zeller Racing, Galli quickly reclaimed the lead and won the opening race.^[14] In the second race, Galli maintained his lead from the start, successfully fending off Berta to win again. Zeller retired due to a puncture, which allowed Riccardo Perego of Team Automobile Tricolore to secure third. In the F2.0 Cup, Emir Tanju of Viola Formula Racing achieved back-to-back wins, with both Tanju and Galli emerging as early championship leaders in their respective categories.^[15]

During the second round at the Red Bull Ring, Berta secured pole position. Galli had a stronger start, overtaking Berta immediately and securing his third consecutive race victory, with Zeller finishing third.^[16][17] In the second race, Galli initially fell to fourth before veering off track and retiring. This left Zeller and Berta in contention for the win. Berta overtook Zeller outside the track limits, resulting in a time penalty that ultimately awarded Zeller the victory. Franz Wöss Racing’s Victor Smialek claimed third overall, while the F2.0 Cup victories were shared by Karim Sartori of Speed Motor and Valentin Andreiux of Viola Formula Racing. Tanju and Galli retained their respective class leads.^[18]

In the third round at Imola Circuit, Berta secured pole position once again.^[19] He engaged in a close battle with Galli through the opening part of the race, until the latter went off track, ultimately retiring after his car became stuck. This incident enabled Berta to take the victory ahead of Zeller and Smialek, propelling him to the top of the championship standings.^[20] In the second race, Zeller started from pole position and successfully held off challenges from Galli and Berta through an early safety car period, a restart, and the remainder of the race. In the F2.0 class, Tanju and Sartori each claimed a win, allowing Tanju to maintain his championship lead unchanged.^[21]

Galli was back in front in qualifying at the series’ return to Vallelunga.^[22] The first race saw both Berta and Zeller jump the start, resulting in penalties that allowed Galli to take a dominant and uncontested victory. Smialek and Perego joined him on the podium.^[23] In the second race, an intense battle for the lead unfolded between Galli and Berta, with Galli successfully defending against repeated challenges to secure his second win of the weekend. Zeller finished third, having bided his time for any mistakes from the front runners. Galli left Vallelunga back in the championship lead, while the F2.0 Cup skipped the event, leaving its points standings unchanged.^[24]

Mugello hosted the fifth round of the championship, where Berta secured pole position.^[25] In the opening race, Berta defended his lead from Galli, but a collision between the two title rivals resulted in Berta retiring with a puncture and Galli pitting for repairs. This saw Zeller win, finishing ahead of Smialek and NV Racing's one-off competitor Paolo Brajnik.^[26] In the second race, Galli stalled at the start, allowing Berta to win ahead of Zeller and Smialek after a race largely run under yellow. Galli came sixth, handing the championship lead back to Berta. The F2.0 Cup was back in action, with STAC's Jérémy Clavaud securing both wins, while a retirement for Tanju allowed Sartori to take the class points lead.^[27]

In the penultimate round at the Monza Circuit, Berta secured another pole position during qualifying.^[28] He maintained his lead to achieve a lights-to-flag victory despite two safety car restarts. Galli, initially in second, was involved in a collision with Franz Wöss Racing’s Cian Carey, dropping him to fourth and allowing Smialek and Zeller to claim podium finishes.^[29] In the second race, Smialek briefly led at the start but was overtaken and finished fourth, with Galli taking the victory ahead of Berta and Zeller. Andreiux dominated the weekend in the F2.0 Cup, winning both races. The championship standings shifted again as this time, Sartori managed to finish only one race, narrowing his lead over Tanju.^[30]

Smialek secured a surprise pole position for the season finale at Misano,^[31] which he converted into a victory as Berta and Galli engaged in a race-long battle for second place. Berta ultimately prevailed, setting up a decisive final race for the championship.^[32] Berta started that race from pole position, while Galli needed to finish ahead of him to contend for the championship. However, the Hungarian driver delivered a flawless performance, claiming the win and the championship title. Galli finished fourth behind Zeller and Smialek after incurring a penalty. The F2.0 Cup took more dramatic turns, as Sartori and Tanju each won a race while the other retired. That saw Tanju clinch the title by eight points.^[33]

Galli secured six victories compared to Berta's four, but the Hungarian driver demonstrated superior consistency by finishing in the top two in all but the dropped-score races. In contrast, Galli's results included three podium misses that were counted, giving Berta the edge needed to claim his maiden Italian F2000 championship. The F2.0 Cup featured a closely contested season-long rivalry between newcomer Tanju and returning competitor Sartori, with neither able to establish a clear dominance.

Drivers scored points in the overall standings, as well as in separate standings per class. Five points were awarded to each driver attending an event. Claiming the fastest lap per race per class awarded a point if at least three cars took part in a class. Entrants counted the best eleven race results of their campaign, as well as the attendance points for all race weekends.

• Official website (in Italian)