The ADAC Formula 4 is heading towards the half-way point of its debut season. The ‘half-time´ championship will be decided during the fourth race weekend at the Lausitzring. The three contenders for this unofficial title were well placed in the first practice session on Friday morning, as they all finished in the top six on the timesheet.

Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing), who is currently second in the championship, made the best start. The Van Amersfoort Racing driver secured the first fastest time on the shortest track on the racing calendar. Mawson needed 1:21.886 minutes for his personal best time. The Australian improved at the chequered flag to take the top spot and was the only one of the 34 drivers to crack 1:22.

Season mid-point championship contender in the lead

Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam), another candidate for the title, placed second behind Mawson. Dienst was at the top of the timesheets for a long time and was only beaten at the very last moment. The 18-year-old posted a 1:22.087 on his best lap and was 0.201 seconds off the pace set by Mawson. David Beckmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) took third place in the opening round of this home fixture for his team, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport. The 15-year-old posted a time of 1:22.269 minutes on his fastest lap and was also best-placed rookie.

Formula racing newbie Mick Schumacher (16, GER, Van Amersfoort Racing) secured fourth place on his 15th and fastest lap with a personal best time of 1:22.477 minutes which was 0.591 seconds off the pace of his Van Amersfoort Racing team-mate Mawson. Championship leader Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark) secured the sixth fastest lap time of 1:22.526 minutes, coming home behind Robert Shwartzman (15, RUS, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), who was fifth. Janneau Esmeijer (18, NED, HTP Junior Team) and local driver Mike Ortmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) completed the top eight.

Second practice gets under way at 11:25 am. Qualifying, which determines the grid positions for the first two of the three races at the Lausitzring is at 3:30 pm.

SPORT1 will broadcast all the races on free-to-air TV

Fans can watch all three ADAC Formula 4 races from the Lausitzring live on free-to-air television. TV partner SPORT1 will broadcast the first two races on Saturday, July 4th at 10:30 am and at 3:00 pm. SPORT1 will also screen the third race on free-to-air TV on Sunday at 10:30 am. In addition, all 24 ADAC Formula 4 races are available as live streams on www.SPORT1.de and adac.de/motorsport.