The start of a new era in junior formula racing: This weekend marks the launch of the ADAC Formula 4's debut season in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. 38 formula racing youngsters used the first free practice session on Friday morning to become more familiar with the new Formula 4 racing car.

Joel Eriksson (17, Sweden, Motopark) secured the first official fastest time in the new ADAC High Speed academy. The 17-year-old needed 1:26.740 minutes for his fastest lap at Oschersleben. Eriksson took over the top spot on the timesheet around the mid-point of the 25-minute session. No other driver was subsequently able to beat the Swede's fastest time in what constitutes a home fixture for his team Motopark at Oschersleben.

Marvin Dienst (18, Germany, HTP Junior Team), another driver who lined up last year in the Formel ADAC which was the forerunner of the ADAC Formula 4, slotted into second place behind Eriksson. The HTP Junior Team driver achieved his personal best time of 1:26.874 minutes - 0.134 seconds off the pace set by Eriksson. Dienst's team-mate Janneau Esmeijer (18, Netherlands, HTP Junior Team / 1:26.925 minutes) took third place in the rankings. The top three were separated by less than two tenths of a second.

Mick Schumacher (16, Gland/CHE, Van Amersfoort Racing) took fifth place behind team-mate Joey Mawson (19, Australia, Van Amersfoort Racing). The son of Formula 1 record-breaking world champion Michael Schumacher was the best-placed rookie in first practice. The Van Amersfoort Racing youngster secured a 1:27.268 on his best lap.

Italian driver Mattia Drudi (16, Italy, SMG Swiss Motorsport Group) placed sixth and Michael Waldherr (18, Germany, Motopark) was seventh. Formula racing newcomer Mike Ortmann (15, Germany, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) and the two Neuhauser Racing pilots Kim Luis Schramm (17, Germany, Neuhauser Racing) and Tim Zimmermann (18, Germany, Neuhauser Racing) completed the Top Ten.

Second practice starts at 12:15 in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. The Formula racing youngsters will contest their first qualifying session of the new season from 15:55 onwards and be divided into two groups to determine grid positions for the first and second race of the weekend.

Racing 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 from Oschersleben on Saturday, April 25th at 11:45 am. On Sunday 26th, commencing at 3:15 pm, SPORT1 will feature a summary of the second race before switching directly to a live broadcast of the weekend's third race. SPORT1+ will show the opening race on Saturday (at 11:55 am) and Race 2 (Sunday, at 9:30 am), both live. In addition, a live stream from all 24 ADAC Formula 4 races will also be available at www.SPORT1.de. All times local.