Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark) is the first winner of an ADAC Formula 4 race staged outside of Germany. The Swedish teenager won the first race at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. This victory also marked his maiden success in the inaugural season of the ADAC junior formula racing series. The new championship leader Ralf Aron (17, EST, Prema Powerteam) and rookie Guan Yu Zhou (16, ITA CHN, Prema Powerteam) completed the party on the podium.
"This win makes me incredibly happy - I'm finally back on top," said Motopark driver Eriksson after his first podium of the season. The 17-year-old defended his pole, maintaining position comfortably to the finish line. After 18 laps, Eriksson had a lead of 1.035 seconds on Aron. Prema Powerteam driver Aron on 63 points now heads the overall standings after the retirement of former championship leader, Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam).
Finishing as best-placed formula racing newcomer, Aron's team-mate Yu Zhou ensured a double podium for the Italian racing team. In the Rookie Championship, Yu Zhou climbs up into third place behind Mick Schumacher (16, GER, Van Amersfoort Racing) and Jonathan Cecotto (15, VEN, Motopark). Schumacher, who took his maiden single-seater win at the season opener in Oschersleben, retired after a collision on the first lap.
Top trio reign supreme
While Eriksson kept the upper hand, as all 37 young talents got away to a disciplined start, Yu Zhou lost his second place on the grid to Estonian driver Aron at an early stage. The top three kept their cool during a total of two safety car periods and maintained their respective positions. Michael Waldherr (18, GER, Motopark), was the biggest winner of the start phase, moving quickly up from sixth to fourth place. The Motopark youngster began to hunt down his opponents but could not close enough to make a decisive overtaking manoeuvre. Waldherr in fourth place came home less than a hundredth of a second behind podium first-timer Yu Zhou.
Tim Zimmermann (18, GER, Neuhauser Racing) had an eventful race in what constitutes a home fixture for his team, Neuhauser Racing. The ADAC Sports Foundation protégé lost two positions in the initial stages after starting fourth on the grid. He was involved in a number of exciting battles, as a bunch of drivers jockeyed hard for position over the ensuing laps but eventually beat off the competition. The young talent racing for the team from the Tyrol finished in fifth place to achieve his best result to date in the ADAC Formula 4.
Strong charge by newcomer Beckmann
Coming home behind rookie Robert Shwartzman (15, RUS, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), who placed sixth, his team-mate David Beckmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) finished in the points at his first attempt in his maiden race in the ADAC Formula 4. The youngest driver in the series did not get away well from eighth position on the grid and was 18th at the end of the first lap. The ADAC Sports Foundation protégé eventually moved up a total of eleven places by fighting hard and posting the fastest lap of the race. Mattia Drudi (16, ITA, SMG Swiss Motorsport Group), Janneau Esmeijer (18, NED, HTP Juniorteam) and Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing) completed the Top Ten.
Australian Mawson will start from pole position ahead of Zimmermann in the second ADAC Formula 4 race on Sunday (live on SPORT1 at 11:55). Winner of the opening race Eriksson and series newcomer Beckmann will share the second row in the fifth race of the season.
Comments from the podium
Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark), Winner:
"This win makes me incredibly happy - I'm finally back on top. The start was not quite perfect. Guan Yu Zhou suddenly got very close to my front wheel in the first turn. I wanted to avoid a collision and ran wide. Luckily, I was able to hang on to P1 and pushed really hard from that moment on. Unfortunately, the two safety car periods caused me to lose my lead once again but I always firmly believed in victory, as I was able to draw away each time and maintain the distance needed to stay in front on the re-start - my car was just perfect today. I'm now even more motivated for the two races on Sunday."
Ralf Aron (17, EST, Prema Powerteam), Second:
"I'm very pleased with this result. The car was simply great - my thanks go to the whole team. I have to admit that Joel was a bit better today, but we are strong and will attack again on Sunday. Victory seemed within reach at the start, but I lost the necessary speed towards the middle of the race. What's positive about the situation is that I now hold the championship lead. Of course, I will do my best to maintain my position."
Guan Yu Zhou (16, CHN, Prema Powerteam), Third:
"I'm delighted with this third place. It means a good haul of points and a big leap up in the championship. Even more might have been possible. I got away to an excellent start and was on the inside in the first turn, but Joel on the outside accelerated better down the straight and remained in front. At the same time, my exit from the corner was not perfect and made me lose position again. I managed to stay in contention after the two safety car periods, and it was a pity that I lost some speed towards the end and could no longer attack."