ADAC Formel 4·19.6.2015

Comments from Friday: Heavy traffic at Spa

Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark), Pole, Race 1 and 2: "Double pole - just perfect. I couldn't find a gap at the start of qualifying, so my lap time was not good. The team told me on the radio that rain was on its way once I had enough distance from the car in front. Conditions were good at first, but suddenly, I had a few drops on my visor. I knew that I had to post two perfect laps immediately, which I did really well. Now my goal is clear - to convert both poles into wins and further extend my championship lead. My car's pace is great in dry conditions, and then again, driving in the rain is a lot of fun. Conditions in the race make no difference to me. It should be interesting in any case, because I expect to have some slipstream battles."

Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Junior Team): "Unfortunately, qualifying wasn't perfect. First I had to wait, and then I had some traffic on my flying lap. After that, I launched straight into another fast lap. In the first sector, I posted a personal best time and then an absolute best in the middle sector. Unfortunately, the rain set in on the last corner, and I deviated slightly off track. Otherwise, it would certainly have been a good lap time."

Marek Böckmann (18, GER, Jenzer Motorsport): "The rain started just before the qualifying session. We only just had time to change the tyres before we went out on track. I was assuming there would be plenty of incidents in these conditions and immediately put in a personal best. When qualifying was interrupted, I was in first place. Unfortunately, the track conditions improved considerably after the restart and my time was undercut. I made an error on my second flying lap, which meant the qualifying ended on a disappointing note. I didn't get everything possible out of the situation."

Nikolaj Rogivue (18, CHE, SMG Swiss Motorsport Group):"Qualifying went quite well at first. I've not driven a lot in the rain and had to build up a bit of experience. Ahead of the interruption, I was already up to twelfth in my group. As soon as qualifying recommenced, we were all out on the track together. Unfortunately, I got stuck in traffic and was unable to improve my time."

Florian Janits (17, AUT, Lechner Racing): "The rain started all of a sudden. We had set the car up for dry conditions, which meant that driving wasn't easy. We didn't have any test days on the track prior to the season, which made it even more difficult for me. Consequently, I'm not entirely satisfied with the result, but I'm hoping for a good race with lots of overtaking."

Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing): "I came fourth in my group. That's OK, but I would obviously have liked to be a little further forward. We had typical Spa weather for qualifying, with lots of rain followed by a rapidly drying track. The conditions were best towards the end, but by that time, the tyre pressure on my car wasn't perfect. In addition, I got stuck in traffic. In the race, it will be important to get through the first few corners cleanly. Then there should be lots of slipstream duels which should be fun."

Harrison Newey (16, GBR, Van Amersfoort Racing): "The result of the session was a bit frustrating. I was on course for second place and was improving all the way through my final lap. But then I made a mistake which ruined my lap time and dropped me down to seventh. Having posted the second-fastest lap time ought to feel really good. But despite that, I'm not really happy because I messed up my qualifying."

Glenn Rupp (16, GER, RS Competition): "I'm a bit disappointed. On my last flying lap, P5 was within grasp. Unfortunately, the track was wet in the third sector and I made a mistake which caused minor damage to my car and dropped me down the starting order. I had only one day of testing at Spa - and that was in the dry. So the rain in qualifying was a new experience for me."

Toni Wolff (15, GER, Piro Sports): "It started raining in the middle of qualifying. I've had relatively little experience of driving in the wet, and I need to learn what this means for the setup. I got the best out of the situation, but I'm not satisfied with the result. I'm still optimistic about the race. At Spielberg, I showed that I can keep up with the lap times of the other drivers. All I really need is a better starting position."