It's the beginning of a new chapter for the ADAC and their successful work with junior open-wheel racing drivers. This coming weekend marks the start of ADAC Formula 4's debut season. The first three races of the year will get under way in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben on the weekend of 24th-26th April 2015. Spectators can look forward to a full grid of 38 Formula 4 racing cars and thrilling action at the track near Magdeburg. TV partner SPORT1 will broadcast the first race live on Saturday, April 25th, starting at 11:45 am. SPORT1 will also feature the third race live on Sunday, April 26th, at 3:20 pm. Fans can watch the second race on Sunday at 9:30 am on SPORT1+.

The young talents from 13 different countries around the world are an exciting mix of drivers with formula racing experience and ambitious newcomers moving up from karting. 13 rookies in all will go up against youngsters who already have some single-seater racing experience behind them. Mick Schumacher is one of the newcomers to formula racing. After many successes in karting, the son of record Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher will contest his first car race at Oschersleben. Just like his fellow competitors, the 16-year-old is eligible to participate in the ADAC Formula 4 Rookie Cup which will be awarded to the most successful formula racing newcomer at the end of the season.

Open-wheel racing debut for son of world champion Cecotto

Another young talent, Jonathan Cecotto, has joined the ADAC Formula 4. His father had a successful career in motorsport. The son of the ex-Formula 1 and DTM driver and motorcycle world champion, Johnny Cecotto, will also be making his debut in formula racing. "I've not had much experience of racing cars, while other drivers in the ADAC Formula 4 already have several seasons of open wheel racing behind them. I'll certainly do my best. At the end of the day, I'm here to win races, you know."

The 15-year-old will line up for Motopark in a home race for the team. Team headquarters are just a stone's throw away from the 3.696 km circuit. Joel Eriksson contested the predecessor series to the ADAC Formula 4, Formel ADAC, for the team from Oschersleben. The young Swede impressed recently with strong lap times during the official tests in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. "It would be perfect to enter the record books as the first ADAC Formula 4 winner at my team's home fixture," said Eriksson. "Ahead of the races, though, it's important to begin by securing the best possible grid position in qualifying in view of the large field of competitors."

Top talents in the new ADAC Formula 4

The ADAC Formula 4 field is full of hopefuls, including Marvin Dienst, who finished in the top five overall in the Formel ADAC in each of the past two years. The 18 year-old posted the fastest time in testing at Oschersleben. Dienst will line up this year for the junior team of HTP Motorsport, who will also be fielding a Bentley Continental GT3 in the ADAC GT Masters. Joey Mawson placed just behind him on the timesheet. The young Australian will line up Van Amersfoort Racing along with Schumacher and Harrison Newey, son of famous Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey.

Other internationally renowned teams like kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport, Lechner Racing from Austria and Team Timo Scheider, managed by the two-time DTM champion also used the tests to familiarise themselves with the Pirelli tyres. The premium Italian manufacturer, well-known from Formula 1, supplies tyres to the ADAC Formula 4 as well.

Races live on SPORT1 and SPORT1+

Fans can watch the first race of the new ADAC Formula 4 live on television. TV partner SPORT1 will broadcast the first race on Saturday, April 25th, starting at 11:45 am. On Sunday, April 26th, at 3:15 pm, SPORT1 will feature a round-up of the second race before broadcasting the weekend's third race live directly afterwards. SPORT1+ will also show Saturday's opening race (at 11:55 am) and Race 2 (Sunday, at 09:30 am) live on TV. In addition, all 24 races of the ADAC Formula 4 are available as a live stream at www.SPORT1.de.