Francesco Simonazzi
{{short description|Italian racing driver}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox racing driver|name=Francesco Simonazzi|image=File:Euroformula Open 2023 Spielberg Nr. 84 Simonazzi (2).jpg|caption=Simonazzi racing in the 2023 Euroformula Open at the Red Bull Ring.|nationality={{flagicon|ITA}} Italian|birth_date={{Birth date and age|2004|03|08|df=y}}|birth_place=Reggio Emilia, Italy|retired=|related to=|racing licence=12px FIA Silver
|current series=European Le Mans Series
|first year=2025
|current team=Duqueine Team
|former teams=
|car number=30
|starts=1 (1 entries)
|wins=0
|podiums=0
|poles=0
|fastest laps=0
|best finish=
|year=2025
|prev series=Euroformula Open Championship
Italian F4 Championship
F4 Spanish Championship
|prev series years=2021–2024
2019–2021
2020
|titles=
|title years=
|awards=
|award years=
}}
Francesco Simonazzi (born 8 March 2004) is an Italian racing driver who competes in the 2025 European Le Mans Series for Duqueine Team. He previously competed in the Euroformula Open Championship with BVM Racing.
Junior racing career
= Lower formulae =
== 2019 ==
In 2019, Simonazzi made his car racing debut, competing in the Italian F4 Championship with Cram Motorsport.{{cite web |last=Caruccio |first=Antonio |date=22 March 2019 |title=Simonazzi chiude il poker Cram (Simonazzi closes Cram poker) |url=https://www.italiaracing.net/Simonazzi-chiude-il-poker-Cram--/237174/79 |access-date=25 March 2019 |work=ITALIARACING.net}} He experienced a challenging rookie year, scoring points on just one occasion, with an eighth place coming at Imola. The Italian missed the final two rounds of the season, which meant that he ended up 22nd in the standings.
== 2020 ==
Simonazzi returned to Italian F4 for 2020, contesting the first round for DRZ Benelli.{{cite web |date=28 November 2019 |title=Accordo 2020 tra DRZ Benelli e Simonazzi (2020 agreement between DRZ Benelli and Simonazzi) |url=https://www.italiaracing.net/Accordo-2020-tra--DRZ-Benelli-e-Simonazzi/240015/79 |access-date=19 December 2019 |work=Italiaracing.net}} Having scored two points in a pair of appearances for Jenzer Motorsport,{{cite web |title=Imola Entry List |url=http://www.acisport.it/public/2020/pdf/F4/2020_3615Imola//Elenco_iscritti_imola_30082020_entry_list_if4c.pdf |access-date=29 August 2020 |work=ACI Sport}} which also included a one-off start in Spanish F4,{{cite tweet|number=1293613072234446849|user=F4Spain|title=NOTICIA: Jenzer Motorsport estará en el Circuito Paul Ricard para participar en la 2ª cita del campeonato de F4 Spanish Championship|date=12 August 2020}} where he took the first podium of his career, Simonazzi drove for BVM Racing in the remaining half of the Italian F4 campaign. More points finishes followed, as the Italian finished 18th in the championship with a best result of sixth at the season finale at Vallelunga.
== 2021 ==
File:F4 Italy 2021 Spielberg Nr. 84 Simonazzi.jpg in 2021]]
The following year, Simonazzi once again raced in the Italian F4 Championship.{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Elliot |date=2021-01-03 |title=R-ace GP signs Australian karter Marcos Flack for Italian F4 |url=https://formulascout.com/r-ace-gp-signs-australian-karter-marcos-flack-for-italian-f4/73587 |access-date=2021-01-03 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} He remained with BVM and scored 28 points, having competed in merely four of the seven rounds, which left him 14th at season's end.
He also made an appearance in the F2000 Italian Formula Trophy during 2021, scoring his first two victories in car racing.
= Euroformula Open =
== 2021 ==
In 2021, Simonazzi spearheaded BVM's return to the Euroformula Open Championship, racing in the final two rounds at Monza and Barcelona.{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=17 September 2021 |title=BVM Racing returns to Euroformula after four-year break |url=https://formulascout.com/bvm-racing-returns-to-euroformula-after-four-year-break/83866 |accessdate=17 September 2021 |website=Formula Scout}} With the former event yielding a triple of points finishes, Simonazzi was classified 18th in the standings.
== 2022 ==
File:Euroformula Open 2022 Spielberg Nr. 84 (2).jpg at the Red Bull Ring.]]
He returned to the series for the 2022 season, being the sole driver for BVM Racing once more.{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Oorjit |date=2022-04-27 |title=Your season guide to the 2022 Euroformula Open Championship |url=https://feederseries.net/2022/04/27/your-season-guide-to-the-2022-euroformula-open-championship/ |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=F1 Feeder Series |language=en}} Despite low grid numbers, the Italian struggled in the opening rounds, having to wait until the middle of the season for his first podium, which he scored at the Hungaroring.{{Cite web |title=Mansell puts on defensive masterclass in Race 3 to beat an impressive Simonazzi |url=http://www.euroformulaopen.net/en/news/4709/mansell-puts-on-defensive-masterclass-in-race-3-to-beat-an-impressive-simonazzi |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=www.euroformulaopen.net |language=en}} The biggest success of his season would follow just two rounds later, as, after finishing second in Race 2, Simonazzi scored his first win in the category at the Red Bull Ring, inheriting victory after original race winner Vladislav Lomko was awarded a five-second penalty for colliding with Frederick Lubin.{{Cite web |title=Lomko (CryptoTower) makes it 3 in action-packed Race 2 at Red Bull Ring |url=http://www.euroformulaopen.net/en/news/4751/lomko-cryptotower-makes-it-3-in-action-packed-race-2-at-red-bull-ring |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=www.euroformulaopen.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Simonazzi (BVM) inherits well-deserved first win in Race 3 |url=http://www.euroformulaopen.net/en/news/4754/simonazzi-bvm-inherits-well-deserved-first-win-in-race-3 |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=www.euroformulaopen.net |language=en}} A less successful weekend in Monza followed, which included Simonazzi causing a collision with Christian Mansell, which sent the Australian's car flipping upside down,{{Cite web |title=Mason takes Race 2 at Monza, Mansell unscathed after flip-over |url=http://www.euroformulaopen.net/en/news/4775/mason-takes-race-2-at-monza-mansell-unscathed-after-flip-over |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=www.euroformulaopen.net |language=en}} before Simonazzi capped off his season by taking second place in Race 1 at Barcelona.{{Cite web |title=Goethe (Motopark) crowned 2022 EFO Champion with dominant win in Race 1 |url=http://www.euroformulaopen.net/en/news/4790/goethe-motopark-crowned-2022-efo-champion-with-dominant-win-in-race-1 |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=www.euroformulaopen.net |language=en}} This result meant that the Italian finished sixth in the standings, being the second-lowest full-time competitor in the standings, only ahead of Alex García.
== 2023 ==
Simonazzi returned to the Euroformula Open in 2023, remaining with BVM Racing once more.{{Cite web|last=Wood|first=Ida|date=7 February 2023|title=Simonazzi confirmed as BVM Racing's first Euroformula driver for 2023|url=https://formulascout.com/simonazzi-confirmed-as-bvm-racings-first-euroformula-driver-for-2023/103485|access-date=8 February 2023|website=Formula Scout|language=en-GB}}
== 2024 ==
Simonazzi was retained by BVM Racing for a third season of Euroformula Open in 2024.{{Cite web|last=Wood|first=Ida|date=23 April 2024|title=Bergmeister, Fluxa and Simonazzi confirmed on 2024 Euroformula grid|url=https://formulascout.com/bergmeister-fluxa-and-simonazzi-confirmed-on-2024-euroformula-grid/118045|access-date=26 April 2024|website=Formula Scout|language=en-GB}}
= FIA Formula 3 Championship =
Simonazzi was announced to race in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Rodin Carlin for the final two rounds, replacing Max Esterson who returned to the GB3 Championship.{{Cite web|title=Rodin Carlin confirms Francesco Simonazzi for remainder of the 2023 F3 season|date=26 July 2023|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/26F4pPGevxch2GXp75NS3u/rodin-carlin-confirms-francesco-simonazzi-for-remainder-of-the-2023-f3|access-date=27 July 2023|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}}
Endurance racing career
= 2025: ELMS debut =
Simonazzi switched to the European Le Mans Series for 2025, joining French outfit Duqueine Team.{{Cite web|title=Record 44 Car Grid for 2025 European Le Mans Series Revealed|date=3 December 2024|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/12/03/record-44-car-grid-for-2025-european-le-mans-series-revealed.html|access-date=20 February 2025|website=Daily Sportscar|language=en}}
Karting record
= Karting career summary =
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align:center"
!Season !Series !Team !Position |
2015
| align="left" |WSK Final Cup — 60 Mini | align="left" |Evokart Srl |NC |
---|
2018
| align="left" |Trofeo Andrea Margutti — X30 Senior | align="left" | |14th |
2019
| align="left" |Italian Karting Championship — KZN Under | align="left" | |32nd |
colspan="4" |Source:{{Cite web |last=kartcom |date=2015-10-30 |title=Simonazzi Francesco |url=https://www.kartcom.com/pilot/simonazzi-francesco/ |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=Kartcom |language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web |title=Francesco Simonazzi {{!}} Racing career profile {{!}} Driver Database |url=https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/francesco-simonazzi/ |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=www.driverdb.com}} |
Racing record
= Racing career summary =
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center"
! Season ! Series ! Team ! Races ! Wins ! Poles ! F/Laps ! Podiums ! Points ! Position |
2019
|align=left| Italian F4 Championship |align=left| Cram Motorsport | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 22nd |
---|
rowspan=4| 2020
|rowspan=3 align=left| Italian F4 Championship |align=left| DRZ Benelli | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |rowspan=3| 18 |rowspan=3| 18th |
align=left| Jenzer Motorsport
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
align=left| BVM Racing
| 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
align=left| F4 Spanish Championship
|align=left| Jenzer Motorsport | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 14th |
rowspan=4| 2021
|align=left| Italian F4 Championship |rowspan=4 align=left| BVM Racing | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 14th |
align=left| Euroformula Open Championship
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 18th |
align=left| F2000 Italian Formula Trophy - FX2
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | NC† |
align=left| FIA Central European Zone Formula 4
| 2 | 0 | ? | ? | 2 | 30 | 4th |
2022
|align=left| Euroformula Open Championship |align=left| BVM Racing | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 197 | 6th |
rowspan="3" |2023
|align=left| Euroformula Open Championship | rowspan="2" align="left" | BVM Racing | 23 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 289 |style="background:#FFDF9F;" |3rd |
align=left| F2000 Italian Formula Trophy
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | NC† |
align=left| FIA Formula 3 Championship
|align=left| Rodin Carlin | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27th |
rowspan="2" |2024
|align=left| Euroformula Open Championship |align=left| BVM Racing | 23 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 345 |style="background:#DFDFDF;" |2nd |
align=left| Ultimate Cup Series - Proto P3
|align=left| TS Corse | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 17th |
rowspan="2" |2025
|align=left| Euroformula Open Championship |align=left| BVM Racing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TBD |
align=left| European Le Mans Series - LMP2
|align=left| Duqueine Team | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11th* |
† As Simonazzi was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points.
= Complete Italian F4 Championship results =
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year ! Team ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! 22 ! Pos ! Points |
2019
!nowrap| Cram Motorsport | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | VLL | style="background:#EFCFFF;" | VLL | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | VLL | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MIS | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MIS | style="background:#FFFFFF;" | MIS | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | HUN | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | HUN | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | HUN | style="background:#FFFFFF;" | RBR | style="background:#FFFFFF;" | RBR | style="background:#FFFFFF;" | RBR | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | IMO | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | IMO | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | IMO | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | IMO | style="background:#;" | MUG | style="background:#;" | MUG | style="background:#;" | MUG | style="background:#;" | MNZ | style="background:#;" | MNZ | style="background:#;" | MNZ ! 22nd ! 4 |
rowspan="3" | 2020
!nowrap| DRZ Benelli | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MIS | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MIS | style="background:#EFCFFF;" | MIS |colspan=19| ! rowspan="3" | 18th ! rowspan="3" | 18 |
nowrap| Jenzer Motorsport
|colspan=3| | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | IMO1 | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | IMO1 | style="background:#EFCFFF;" | IMO1 | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | RBR | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | RBR | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | RBR |colspan=13| |
---|
nowrap|BVM Racing
|colspan=9| | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MUG | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | MUG | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | MUG | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MNZ | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MNZ | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MNZ | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | IMO2 | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | IMO2 | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | IMO2 | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | VLL | style="background:#FFFFFF;" | VLL | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | VLL | |
2021
!nowrap|BVM Racing | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | LEC | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | LEC | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | LEC | style="background:#;" | MIS | style="background:#;" | MIS | style="background:#;" | MIS | style="background:#;" | VLL | style="background:#;" | VLL | style="background:#;" | VLL | style="background:#;" | IMO | style="background:#;" | IMO | style="background:#;" | IMO | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | RBR | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | RBR | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | RBR | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MUG | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MUG | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MUG | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MNZ | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MNZ | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | MNZ | !14th !28 |
= Complete F4 Spanish Championship results =
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year ! Team ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! Pos ! Points |
2020
! nowrap| Jenzer Motorsport |NAV |NAV |NAV |style="background:#DFFFDF"| LEC |style="background:#FFDF9F"| LEC |style="background:#DFFFDF"| LEC |JER |JER |JER |CRT |CRT |CRT |ARA |ARA |ARA |JAR |JAR |JAR |CAT |CAT |CAT ! 14th ! 23 |
= Complete Euroformula Open Championship results =
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year ! Entrant ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! 24 ! 25 ! 26 ! DC ! Points |
2021
!nowrap| BVM Racing | style="background:#;" | POR | style="background:#;" | POR | style="background:#;" | POR | style="background:#;" | LEC | style="background:#;" | LEC | style="background:#;" | LEC | style="background:#;" | SPA | style="background:#;" | SPA | style="background:#;" | SPA | style="background:#;" | HUN | style="background:#;" | HUN | style="background:#;" | HUN | style="background:#;" | IMO | style="background:#;" | IMO | style="background:#;" | IMO | style="background:#;" | RBR | style="background:#;" | RBR | style="background:#;" | RBR | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | MNZ | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | MNZ | style="background:#DFFFDF;" | MNZ | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | CAT | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | CAT | style="background:#CFCFFF;" | CAT |colspan=2| ! 18th ! 15 |
2022
!nowrap|BVM Racing | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |EST | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |EST | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |EST | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |PAU | style="background:#EFCFFF;" |PAU | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |LEC | style="background:#CFCFFF;" |LEC | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |LEC | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |SPA | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |SPA | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |SPA | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |HUN | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |HUN | style="background:#DFDFDF;" |HUN | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |IMO | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |IMO | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |IMO | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |RBR | style="background:#DFDFDF;" |RBR | style="background:#FFFFBF;" |RBR | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |MNZ | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |MNZ | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |MNZ | style="background:#DFDFDF;" |CAT | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |CAT | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |CAT ! 6th ! {{Tooltip|197|198, including dropped points}} |
2023
!nowrap|BVM Racing | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |PRT | style="background:#FFFFBF;" |PRT | style="background:#FFDF9F;" |PRT | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |SPA | style="background:#FFDF9F;" |SPA | style="background:#DFDFDF;" |SPA | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |HUN | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |HUN | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |HUN | style="background:#EFCFFF;" |LEC | style="background:#FFDF9F;" |LEC | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |LEC | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |RBR | style="background:#DFDFDF;" |RBR | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |RBR | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |MNZ | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |MNZ | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |MNZ | style="background:#DFDFDF;" |MUG | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |MUG | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |CAT | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |CAT | style="background:#FFFFBF;" |CAT |colspan=3| ! style="background:#FFDF9F;" | 3rd ! style="background:#FFDF9F;" | 289 |
2024
!nowrap| BVM Racing | style="background:#FFFFBF;" |PRT | style="background:#FFDF9F;" |PRT | style="background:#FFDF9F;" |PRT | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |HOC | style="background:#FFFFBF;" |HOC | style="background:#DFDFDF;" |HOC | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |SPA | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |SPA | style="background:#FFFFFF;" |SPA | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |HUN | style="background:#FFFFBF;" |HUN | style="background:#FFFFBF;" |HUN | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |LEC | style="background:#FFDF9F;" |LEC | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |LEC | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |RBR | style="background:#FFDF9F;" |RBR | style="background:#FFDF9F;" |RBR | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |CAT | style="background:#FFFFBF;" |CAT | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |CAT | style="background:#FFFFBF;" |MNZ | style="background:#EFCFFF;" |MNZ | style="background:#DFFFDF;" |MNZ |colspan=2| ! style="background:#DFDFDF;" | 2nd ! style="background:#DFDFDF;" | 345 |
= Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results =
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year ! Entrant ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! DC ! Points |
2023
!nowrap| Rodin Carlin |style="background:#;"| BHR |style="background:#;"| BHR |style="background:#;"| MEL |style="background:#;"| MEL |style="background:#;"| MON |style="background:#;"| MON |style="background:#;"| CAT |style="background:#;"| CAT |style="background:#;"| RBR |style="background:#;"| RBR |style="background:#;"| SIL |style="background:#;"| SIL |style="background:#;"| HUN |style="background:#;"| HUN |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| SPA |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| SPA |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| MNZ |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| MNZ ! 26th ! 0 |
= Complete European Le Mans Series results =
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year ! Entrant ! Class ! Chassis ! Engine ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! Rank ! Points |
2025
!nowrap| Duqueine Team ! LMP2 !nowrap| Oreca 07 !nowrap| Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAT |style="background:#;"| LEC |
|style="background:#;"| IMO
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| SPA
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| SIL
{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"| ALG
{{small|}}
! 11th*
! 1*
|}
* Season still in progress.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{DriverDB driver|francesco-simonazzi}}
{{ELMS LMP2 teams}}
{{Carlin Motorsport}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simonazzi, Francesco}}
Category:Italian racing drivers
Category:Euroformula Open Championship drivers
Category:Spanish F4 Championship drivers
Category:Italian F4 Championship drivers
Category:Jenzer Motorsport drivers
Category:Cram Competition drivers
Category:Sportspeople from Reggio Emilia
Category:FIA Formula 3 Championship drivers
Category:Carlin racing drivers
Category:Rodin Motorsport drivers
Category:21st-century Italian sportsmen