The battle for the unofficial title of ADAC Formula 4 'halftime champion' is hotting up. Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing) won the first of three races at the Lausitzring and has increased his chances of taking the first 'half-time championship' in the ADAC High Speed Academy. The Australian claimed his second victory and fourth podium of the season.
Robert Shwartzman (15, RUS, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) also continued his strong run of form. In the home race for his kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport team, the young Russian came second and celebrated his fourth consecutive podium finish. Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam) completed the Top Three and still has chances of coming out on top in the first half of the 2015 campaign.
Mawson lays foundation for victory in the first few metres
"The weekend couldn't have got off to a better start," said Mawson after picking up the first winner's trophy of the fourth race weekend. From second on the grid, the Van Amersfoort Racing driver immediately wrested control of the race from pole-setter Marvin Dienst and then went on to build up a comfortable lead of several seconds over the next few laps. Even a late safety car deployment left Mawson unruffled as he defended his lead against closest pursuer Shwartzman and saw the victory home after a race lasting 20 laps.
After a run of three third places, Shwartzman achieved his best result yet in ADAC Formula 4. Having started from fifth on the grid, the 15-year-old skilfully avoided getting caught up in the mayhem at the start to overtake Dienst and move up into fourth. There then developed a thrilling three-way battle for second place between Janneau Esmeijer (18, NED, HTP Juniorteam), Shwartzman and Dienst, from which the kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport youngster emerged triumphant. Following a collision with Tim Zimmermann (18, GER, Neuhauser Racing), Esmeijer then dropped out of the points-scoring places.
Best performance to date by local favourite Ortmann
Also involved in the hard-fought action for the top positions was Mike Ortmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) from the town of Ahrensfelde which is 150 kilometres from the Lausitzring. At one stage, the local favourite was up to third but ultimately had to yield the position to Dienst. In finishing fourth, Ortmann not only secured his best ADAC Formula 4 result to date but also picked up a trophy for best-placed rookie. Crossing the line behind Ortmann was team-mate and fellow series newcomer, David Beckmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) with yet another Top Five finish for the Berlin-based racing stable.
Jannes Fittje (15, GER, Motopark), Kim Luis Schramm (17, GER, Neuhauser Racing) and Jonathan Cecotto (15, VEN, Motopark), the son of ex-Formula 1 and DTM driver Johnny Cecotto, completed the Top Eight in the first of three races at the Lausitzring.
Dienst back on pole position
In the second race on Saturday afternoon (from 15:00 live on SPORT1), Dienst once again starts from pole position alongside Joey Mawson. The two talented youngsters are in hot pursuit of current championship leader Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark) who had to sit out the first race due to a penalty. The Motopark driver leads the overall standings on 136 points, while Mawson is in second place on 123 points ahead of Dienst on 96. With 50 points still up for grabs before the unofficial title of 'halftime champion' is conferred, all three challengers are in with a chance.
Comments from the podium
Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing), Winner:
"I am really delighted with this victory. I wanted to catch up in the championship, especially since the leader Eriksson wasn't starting in this race. This worked out perfectly for me. My start was very good, and I immediately took the lead. Unfortunately, I didn't catch the exit of turn four perfectly and had to let Esmeijer go past. But I was able to rectify the situation soon enough and then build up a lead. When the safety car came out, this was nullified and I started to come under some pressure. But on the last two laps, I once again managed to pull out a gap and secure the victory. The weekend couldn't have got off to a better start."
Robert Shwartzman (15, RUS, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), Second:
"That's the fourth time in a row I've finished on the podium, and in such a really great race. I'm absolutely satisfied. At the start, I kept my position. When the tyres eventually got better and felt just right, I went on the attack. I was moving really fast and worked my way up to second place. I wanted to attack Joey, but he was too fast. This has been my best result so far in ADAC Formula 4, but I intend to go one better very soon."
Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam), Third:
"I'd expected more, for sure, after starting on pole. I didn't get away well and immediately lost a few positions. It was obvious that working my way back to the front was going to be tricky at the Lausitzring. We probably didn't have enough air in the tyres, which had an impact on my lap times. I wanted to use my experience at the end of the race in these hot conditions, but the safety car got in the way. Still, I'm back on the podium after two tough weekends and have secured vital points towards the championship."
Mike Ortmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), best-placed rookie:
"I'm overjoyed to secure my first victory in the rookie standings in my home fixture. The race was really good, my speed was super and I made some really great overtaking moves. For a time, P3 was even within reach. Of course, that would have been even more beautiful, but I've now got my first trophy and am completely satisfied. I'm super proud of my team and all those who've always supported me."