Interest in ADAC Formula 4 has exceeded all expectations. Everything is now set for an exciting 2015 debut season for the new junior ADAC open-wheel series. A number of newcomers along with well-known teams from the previous series, Formel ADAC, will constitute a competitive international field of no fewer than 42 entries. The inaugural season of the ADAC Formula 4 gets under way on the weekend of 24th - 26th April, 2015, in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. SPORT 1 and SPORT1+ will broadcast live pictures from races staged by the ADAC 'high-speed academy'. An overview of the ADAC Formula 4 teams. Part 1.
Engstler Motorsport
The team was established in 1996 and became a famous name in touring car racing after achieving a great deal of success. Engstler Motorsport, led by team boss Franz Engstler, have lined up in a number of series, including the FIA WTCC World Touring Car Championship and ADAC Procar, in which the team won several championship titles. Engstler Motorsport are also committed to the promotion of young talent in motorsport with their own kart team and their new Formula 4 squad. Engstler: "ADAC Formula 4 is exactly the right platform for young drivers, enabling them to put their talents to the test at a high level. Bringing on the next generation was the original idea behind the setting up of the Engstler Junior Team, and we are beginning a new and hopefully successful chapter in the history of our team with our involvement in ADAC Formula 4."
HTP Junior Team
HTP Motorsport are already well-known to fans of the ADAC GT Masters which will host ADAC Formula 4. The team have lined up in the Super Sports Car League since 2011. Norbert Brückner and Gerhard Ungar intend to give young talent the opportunity to take their first steps in professional motorsport by setting up the HTP Junior Team. The juniors are based at HTP Motorsport's new headquarters in Altendiez near Limburg where the cars are prepared for the races in the ADAC Formula 4 and in the ADAC GT Masters. "We can offer our Formula 4 drivers test drives in the Bentley Continental GT3 as the next step in their career progression, since we are a Bentley partner team in the ADAC GT Masters," Brückner said.
Jenzer Motorsport
Jenzer Motorsport was founded in 1993 by Swiss driver Andreas Jenzer, who was still actively competing in motor racing at the time. In the years that followed, the well-established team won many championships in various European open-wheel series. Jenzer Motorsport have trained and supported a number of successful racing drivers, including current DTM drivers Bruno Spengler and Nico Müller. Last season, the team competed in a variety of series, including the Italian Formula 4 championship and GP3 which is a support series to the F1 world championship. Jenzer: "I'm very keen to return to German motor racing, and ADAC Formula 4 gives us as a team good reason to do just that, as it constitutes the best platform for young drivers starting a career in motor racing."
Lechner Racing
For decades, Lechner Racing from Austria have been well known for bringing young motor racing talents at an international level. Formula 1 drivers, including Stefan Bellof and Roland Ratzenberger as well as two-time Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz all emerged from the Lechner team. After more than ten years, the Salzburg based team finally made a successful comeback in single-seater racing during the 2013 season. Led by Robert and Walter Lechner Jr, the team won the Formula Renault drivers' and team championships at the first attempt. They are now taking the next step by joining ADAC Formula 4. "ADAC Formula 4 is currently by far and away the most attractive open-wheel series for young drivers, so it's obvious that we would like to tackle this latest challenge with our team," said the project's sports director, Robert Lechner. Walter Lechner Jr, who is technical director of the Lechner Racing School team, can hardly wait for the season to start. "The fact that 18 teams have entered with 42 cars in the inagural season speaks volumes. Our team is ready for fresh challenges after our immense success recently in Formula Renault 1.6 NEC."
Motopark
The Oschersleben-based team will continue to support young talents in the ADAC Formula 4, ably led by team boss Timo Rumpfkeil. In the previous series, the Formel ADAC, Motopark won several team and drivers' championships. Since its inception in 1998, the team has played an important role in the training and career development of a number of Formula 1 drivers, including Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, Max Verstappen, Sébastien Buemi, Scott Speed and Bruno Senna as well as numerous other drivers. Rumpfkeil: "We are looking forward to the new ADAC Formula 4. The FIA's make-over for the junior series planned as a long-term measure really goes to the root of things. ADAC Formula 4 gives young talents from kart racing the best possible basis for entry into open-wheel racing as well as preparing them for the FIA Formula 3 championship. The ADAC has opted for a capable partner in Tatuus and put together an attractive package. The car provides a brilliant learning experience and trains drivers well for their subsequent roles in pro motor racing."