Spa-Francorchamps. The young talents of the ADAC Formula 4 on tour: The ADAC High-Speed Academy is contesting its third race weekend of the 2015 season in Belgium just two weeks after the international debut in Austria. In qualifying, Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark) secured the best starting position for the first race (Saturday at 14:45, live on SPORT1) on the legendary circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. The championship leader posted the best time of any of the 39 drivers. Eriksson will again be on pole position for the second race on Sunday (live on SPORT1 at 13.25).
The starting grid for race 1
Qualifying is held in two groups due to the large number of entrants. The starting grid of the first race is determined by the results from the fastest lap times in qualifying. The driver with the fastest time of anyone starts from pole position. The fastest driver from the other group takes second place on the grid. The remaining cars slot into position behind the two fastest drivers on the grid according to their qualifying group. This ensures the greatest possible degree of equality of opportunity should weather conditions be different.
Eriksson won through in group 1. The Motopark youngster secured the best lap time of 2:23.272 minutes. Rain began to fall more heavily halfway through the 20-minute session. The wet conditions did not permit further improvements in time in the first rain-affected qualifying of the season. Coming home behind Eriksson, rookie Guan Yu Zhou (16, CHN, Prema Powerteam) took second place with a personal best time of 2:24.012 minutes. Third position with a time of 2:24.290 minutes went to Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam), who is placed second in the championship.
After a short stoppage, Robert Shwartzman (15, RUS, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) in qualifying group 2 needed 2:36.190 minutes for his fastest lap on a wet track. The 15-year-old rookie took the lead at the chequered flag. Shwartzman thus starts the race from second position on the grid. Ralf Aron (17, EST, Prema Powerteam) posted a 2:36.190 to take second place in group 2 and is therefore fourth on the grid behind Yu Zhou. HTP Juniorteam driver Dienst and newcomer to the series Lando Norris (15, GBR, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) share the third row of the grid in the first race at Spa-Francorchamps. Janneau Esmeijer (18, NED, HTP Juniorteam) and Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing) will start from seventh and eighth place respectively on the longest track on the calendar.
The starting grid for race 2
The second best lap times of the session determine positions on the grid for the second race. Once again, Joel Eriksson in group 1 was able to nose ahead with a personal best time of 2:23.813 minutes. Ralf Aron in group 2 secured second place on the grid with a lap time of 2:37.835 minutes. Janneau Esmeijer (2:24.714/group 1) and Robert Shwartzman (2:37.886/group 2) will start the eighth race of the season from the second row. The two rookies Yu Zhou and Lando Norris occupy grid positions five and six. Marvin Dienst and Harrison Newey (16, GBR, Van Amersfoort Racing) complete the top eight.
The starting grid for race 3
The Top Ten from the first race start the third race (live on SPORT1 at 17.00) in reverse order. So, the race winner lines up in P10 on the grid and the tenth placed driver occupies the pole position for the third race. The cars that finished from eleventh place downwards in Race 1 line up in the same positions in the final race.
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."