A historic success in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben: Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Junior Team) is the first race winner of the new ADAC Formula 4. The HTP Junior Team driver won the first of three races taking place at the season opener of the ADAC High Speed Academy. Ralf Aron (17, EST, Prema Powerteam) and Mattia Drudi (16, ITA, SMG Swiss Motorsport Group) completed the party on the podium. "It's incredible. I haven't yet taken in the full significance of this win," said Dienst after his victory at Oschersleben.
Mick Schumacher (16, GER, Van Amersfoort Racing) placed ninth in his first formula racing fixture. The son of record Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher was the best-placed rookie in the 35 car strong field. Schumacher also posted the fastest lap of the eleven rookies. The newcomer to single seater racing at Van Amersfoort Racing now leads the ADAC Formula 4 Rookie Cup which will be awarded to the most successful newcomer to formula racing at the end of the season.
Schumacher pleased with his charge
"Of course, I'm pleased that I caught up - it didn't occur to me at first that I was best rookie! After yesterday's qualifying and my grid position, I'm really satisfied," said Mick Schumacher, who went on a charge from 19th on the grid and improved by a total of ten positions. Schumacher will start the third race on Sunday (15:20, live on SPORT1) from second place behind Thomas Preining (16, AUT, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport).
Race winner Dienst laid the foundations for his success shortly after the start. From fourth position on the grid, the 18-year-old took the lead from pole-setter Janneau Esmeijer (18, NED, HTP Junior Team) in the second turn. Dienst kept an eye on what was happening around him during three safety car periods in all to eventually cross the finish line just one second up on Prema Powerteam youngster Aron. The Estonian took advantage of the exciting start to move up from fifth to second place. Aron then began to hunt down Dienst but was not a threat to the eventual winner.
Two Motopark youngsters in top five
Third-placed Drudi also put in an impressive performance. The Italian started the race from sixth position on the grid and quickly moved up two places. At the restart after the second safety car phase on the seventh lap, Drudi pulled off a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre to win through against Michael Waldherr (18, GER, Motopark) and take third place. Waldherr finally crossed the finish line in fifth place right behind team-mate Joel Eriksson (17, Sweden, Motopark) in what constitutes a home fixture for team Motopark.
Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing), who placed sixth, had an eventful race. The Australian, racing for Van Amersfoort Racing, dropped down the field initially from second place on the grid to the rear of the midfield. The 19-year-old went on a superb charge over the 18 laps, clawing his way back to the front. Mawson battled for position towards the end with fellow team-mate Harrison Newey (16, GBR, Van Amersfoort Racing), the son of famous Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey, and finally got the upper hand. ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Tim Zimmermann (18, GER, Neuhauser Racing), Schumacher and Preining completed the Top-Ten.
Comments from the podium
Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Junior Team), Winner:
"I've gone into the records as the first winner in the history of ADAC Formula 4 - it's incredible. I haven't yet taken in the full significance of this win. That will only happen at some point in the future, or perhaps not until after several years have passed when someone asks me about it. The race itself wasn't easy. The car in front of me didn't move at the start, and I had to react quickly. On the first corner, it was really tight, but luckily I emerged in the lead. Due to the multiple deployment of the safety car, my lead was repeatedly cut back to nothing. At one stage, I almost ran out of ideas as to where I should best lead off the restart. Ultimately, though, I managed to do it right each time, and that was the decisive factor in my victory."
Ralf Aron (17, EST, Prema Powerteam), Second:
"I'm ecstatic. I came to Oschersleben with no prior knowledge of this track and had to learn it during the free practice sessions. My team have done a great job and provided me with a fantastic car. The safety car periods were a bit frustrating. As soon as I caught up on the race leader, I had to back off again. I really wanted to win this race, and my chances were good at the beginning. On the last lap, however, there was a small problem with the car. I lost several car lengths and had to drop back. I can be absolutely satisfied with second place, though."
Mattia Drudi (16, ITA, SMG Swiss Motorsport Group), Third:
"I'm very happy about finishing on the podium - I wasn't expecting it after starting sixth. My car was fantastic and I would like to thank my team for that. At the start, I immediately won a position, and from then on, I was exerting pressure for the entire race. Also, the safety car periods played into my hands. At the end of the race, Joel Eriksson was close behind me. It wasn't easy to defend third place against him, so I'm all the happier now that I'm standing on the podium."
Mick Schumacher (16, GER, Van Amersfoort Racing), best-placed rookie:
"Of course, I'm pleased that I caught up - it didn't occur to me at first that I was best rookie! After yesterday's qualifying and my grid position, I'm really satisfied."