Ginevra Panzeri makes promising Formula 4 debut in FWS at Aragon

Ginevra Panzeri made a very promising single-seater debut in the Formula Winter Series at Aragon by finishing in the top 20 in her first-ever F4 race and gaining valuable experience across mixed conditions ahead of her next event in Barcelona.

Photo credits: Daniel Bürgin / Gedlich

Young Italian racer Ginevra Panzeri made her single-seater debut with a promising performance at Motorland Aragon, contesting the penultimate round of the Formula Winter Series in a highly competitive 29-car grid.

Panzeri, who comes from limited racing experience, began testing Formula 4 machinery with AKM Motorsport at the end of last year after gaining some track time in Mitjet. Her debut weekend was all about learning and improving with each session, but she exceeded expectations by securing a top-20 finish in her first race.

The weekend began with six test sessions on Thursday and Friday, where Panzeri gradually built up speed and confidence in dry conditions. She made significant improvements heading into her first-ever Formula 4 qualifying session on Saturday morning.

Despite initially struggling with track limits, she set a time of 2:04.965, placing her in P28. However, in the second session shortly afterward, she improved to 2:01.708, just two-tenths off the car ahead, again securing P28 but demonstrating encouraging progress.

Lining up in 28th place for her first-ever race in a single-seater, Panzeri aimed for a clean race and steady improvements. A dramatic start saw multiple incidents, but she navigated the chaos well, gaining five positions to move up to P23. By lap three, further mistakes from competitors allowed her to climb into the top 20.

She continued her solid run, passing Weiss for P19 and maintaining a strong pace of 2:01.9. Panzeri ultimately finished P19 in her debut race, a remarkable achievement given her inexperience.

Sunday morning brought mixed conditions for Race 2, with a wet track challenging the drivers. Starting from P27, she kept out of trouble in the early laps, moving up a position. She engaged in a close battle with Rafaela Ferreira, initially being overtaken but later fighting back before the Brazilian improved his pace and regained the spot.

A safety car was deployed after a crash on lap 8, and Panzeri found herself in P26. On the restart, she managed to hold her own and crossed the line in P25, gaining more valuable experience in wet conditions.

For the final race of the weekend, damp conditions turned into rain just before the start, prompting many drivers, including Panzeri, to switch to wet tyres on the formation lap. The race started chaotically, with several drivers struggling for grip. Panzeri, starting from P28, gained positions as competitors had to pit for wet tyres, moving up to P23.

As the track began drying again, those on slicks gained an advantage, but she maintained solid lap times in the 2:18s and kept a good gap to the cars behind. She eventually passed Trappa for P24 and finished in that position, capping off an impressive debut weekend.

Panzeri’s first-ever Formula 4 event showcased her strong potential, particularly in Race 1, where she gained nine positions and displayed consistent pace in dry conditions. With a clean and steady approach, she proved to be more consistent than some of the more experienced drivers on the grid.

Her promising debut sets the stage for further opportunities as she returns for the season finale at Circuit de Catalunya in a week's time.