DR Formula team had a very positive start of the 2017 campaign in the Italian F4 Championship. The squad led by Danilo Rossi, with the technical support of Roberto Venieri, took part in the first round of Misano with three cars for Artem Petrov, Aldo Festante and rookie Felipe Branquinho.

Petrov since the beginning was on a high rhythm. He scored the ninth fastest time in the first qualifying session, and he improved steadily in Q2 with the fourth best lap. The young Russian, at his second year under DR Formula umbrella, shone in race 1 with a fantastic recover to conquer the second place. This is a really deserved result for him and all DR Formula staff, as a confirmation of the good work done during the preseason tests.

Maybe a bit emotional on the grid of race 2, Petrov on the crucial moment had a little movement before the lights went out, receiving an unfortunate drive-through as a consequence. At that point, it was useless to going on and the team preferred to stop him. In the third race, Petrov was author of another great performance clinching the third place, stepping again on the podium.

On his hand, Festante showed an interesting learning curve through the weekend, after the 13th and the 15th spot he marked in qualifying. The Italian driver took the chequered flag in all the three races, showing his focus. 12th at the end of race 1, Festante concluded 15th in race 2 and then in 10th position in race 3. This result gave him the chance to achieve the first personal point, a reward for the constant improvement put on the track.

At the debut in single-seater racing, Branquinho had to adapt step by step to the new challenge. 20th and 21st in qualifying, the young Brazilian ended 20th and 16th the first two races, but he had to retire in the last heat due to a contact. Next Italian F4 round is scheduled at Adria on 5-7 of May.