Olli Caldwell will be back in action in the Italian F4 Championship at Monza this weekend for round three of the 2018 series. After a brilliant performance at round two, which saw the Prema Theodore Racing driver take a 1st and 2nd place finish over the course of the weekend. The performance has now boosted Olli up to 4th in the championship with five rounds still remaining.
Olli will be happy to be back at Monza, not just for it’s circuit status, but also for the happy memories it holds for the 15-year-old. During his brief spell in the championship last year Olli competed in the season finale which took place at Monza. Coming into the weekend Olli’s best result had been 10th, but that would be improved with Olli taking an impressive 6th place in the final race of the weekend! It was a brilliant performance and a great way to end his short campaign in the series.
The circuit is one of the most legendary in the World. Since being built back in 1922 it has never left the Formula One calendar playing host to some of the sports most memorable races. It’s unique layout, which consists mostly of straights, has always made for close racing even in recent years. That close racing is exaggerated in something like Italian F4 so for spectators it is always a good watch and for drivers, good fun!
The circuit is 3.6 miles in length and is made up of just eleven corners, seven of those being merged into tight and twisty chicanes. The long straights followed by hard braking zones leave plenty of room for overtaking, but can also create the danger of incidents if someone is to miss there braking zone by just a few feet.
The Italian F4 cars will roughly achieve 230 kmh by the time they reach the end of the star/finish straight before slowing down to around just 60 kmh creating a huge lateral force on the drivers. There’s no doubt the 28 minute races will be tough, both physically and mentally! For Olli the ideal plan will be to qualify on pole and break away out front, just like he did at Paul Ricard! If that isn’t possible though then it will be to keep the leader at arm's length the entire race before going into battle in the final few minutes.
Whatever happens it is set to be a fantastic weekend. Olli now has a win and a podium under his belt and if he can stay out of trouble there’s no reason why that shouldn’t happen again!
Olli Caldwell: "Really looking forward to be heading back to Monza this weekend after a good race last year and our success at Paul Ricard. Looking to do the same again this weekend!"
You can follow the action this weekend right here on Olli’s website at https://www.ollicaldwell.com/live