Jasin Ferati: Apprenticeship year with ups and downs
NO POCOLS For the first time, Jasin Ferati never made it onto the podium in a racing season. Problems in qualifying and dealing with pressure prevented better results in Formula 4. Now he knows what he needs to work on for 2021. Despite 35 days in the Formula 4 cockpit and more than 300 days in the [...]
Jasin Ferati's first racing car season did not bring the results he had hoped for, despite 35 days in the Formula 4 cockpit and more than 300 days in the simulator or in fitness training.
High power density
The championship in Italy, which was postponed to the second half of the year due to the Covid 19 measures, with seven events and 21 races, has proved to be the greatest possible challenge for the Winterthur-based Jenzer Motorsport team, which is supported by Racing Unleashed and many co-sponsors. While there were twelve drivers on the grid in Germany, there were as many as 34 from all over the world in Italy.
As Prema Powersport and Van Amersfoort Racing were competing with up to ten cars, the season's target of top-10 finishes was too ambitious for the 17-year-old rookie. Only the veterans Filip Ugran and Andrea Rosso were able to regularly penetrate the phalanx of the two top teams operating with larger budgets.
Setback instead of progress
For Ferati, the guest appearance in the Spanish championship at Circuit Paul Ricard remained the highlight of the season with a narrowly missed podium finish, a fifth and a sixth place. In Italy, eleventh places at Misano and Imola with championship points in the rookie standings were a standout.
The unpleasant back injury as a result of a flight over the curbs at Monza, the subsequent retirement from the start and the forced break were the counterpart to this.
Explanation attempts
The lap times in the free practice sessions confirm Ferati's basic speed. The gap of 0.3 to 1.2 seconds to the more experienced Jenzer team leader Ugran was to be expected. In qualifying, unfortunately, Ferati only managed to realize his potential in line with the possibilities with grid positions 10 and 16 at the final event in Vallelunga.
What stood out in the first formula races were good duels and many place wins. Bad starting positions and some incidents at the "stupidest moment" cost better rankings and points.
The 2020 season was very intense and full of ups and downs, as the Formula 4 rookie sums it up.
Jasin Ferati: "In the first few races I was able to get into the front midfield and regularly fight for points. From mid-season onwards, it became increasingly difficult to get into the top 15. The gap to the top teams increased, although I never gave up and tried everything. The fact that we couldn't find an explanation for the regression despite many discussions within the team was annoying."
Head thing
Nevertheless, he said, he learned a lot at Jenzer Motorsport and felt comfortable in the team.
Jasin Ferati: "Physically, apart from the back injury, I was in good shape throughout the season. In terms of fitness, thanks to a lot of training, I was one of the best in the starting field. That's something to build on. I still have to improve in the mental area in particular. But I remain confident: No champion falls from the sky."
