The fourth ADAC Formula 4 race weekend at the Lausitzring had a nail-biting conclusion. Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam) secured the victory on the last lap of a race which had the lot in terms of thrills and spills. Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing) looked for a long time to have the race sewn up but ultimately had to settle for the runner-up spot. Robert Shwartzman (15, RUS, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) continued his impressive run with a sixth successive podium. A ninth-place finish for Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark) was enough to confirm him as 'halftime champion' at this midway point in the season.
"I had expected more from this weekend after securing two pole positions, so this victory is a nice way to round it off," said Dienst after notching up his third win of the season in the ADAC High Speed Academy.
Thrills galore on the final lap
The HTP Juniorteam youngster moved up into third place behind race leader Mawson and pursuer Shwartzman on the fourth-to-last lap. After a safety car period, the last of the three races at the Lausitzring was opened up for the 20th and final round. As Shwartzman and Mawson battled for the lead on the first corner, the Van Amersfoort Racing driver had to briefly veer off onto the grass. Dienst used the opportunity to take the lead. Mawson managed to defend second place ahead of the pursuing Shwartzman through to the finish line.
Had Mawson taken the victory, he would also have come away with the first halftime championship in the history of ADAC Formula 4. Instead, it was claimed by Eriksson, winner of the weekend's second race. The Motopark driver started from last place but then improved by a total of 25 positions. Ninth place was enough for him to maintain his overall lead on 163 points. Having won Race 1 on Saturday, Mawson takes second place on 159 points ahead of Dienst who has so far scored 129 points.
Local favourite Ortmann takes lead in rookie championship
In an eventful race, Tim Zimmermann (18, GER, Neuhauser Racing) managed to steer clear of all incidents. From twelfth on the grid, he finished in fourth place - his best result yet on the fourth race weekend of the season. Crossing the line behind the Neuhauser Racing driver was Mike Ortmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) in fifth place. The local favourite was thus the best-placed rookie for the third successive race. With a P4 and two P5s in his home race, the 15-year-old has taken over the lead in the rookie standings for the first time.
Behind sixth-placed Jannes Fittje (15, GER, Motopark), team-mate Michael Waldherr (18 GER, Motopark) once again staged an overtaking spectacular. After improving by 25 places on the previous day in the second race, he gained 23 positions in the Sunday race and once again finished in the points. Marek Böckmann (18, GER, Jenzer Motorsport), halftime champion Eriksson and Harrison Newey (16, GBR, Van Amersfoort Racing), the son of top Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey, completed the Top Ten.
The fifth race weekend of the debut ADAC Formula 4 season will be contested at the Nürburgring (14th - 16th August 2015). The famous track in the Eifel mountains hosts Races 13 to 15 after the summer break.
Comments from the podium
Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam), Winner:
"At first, I didn't know whether to be pleased after this last-minute victory. My start wasn't perfect, just as in the first two races. I benefited from the fact that the others ahead of me also didn't get away well. I was in third place after one lap, battling understeer because of the swirling air from the cars in front. The safety car deployment helped me. But then the restart was strange. I chose the outside of the track and suddenly saw the two drivers ahead of me go really far out. Fortunately, I wasn't involved in the incident and was able take the lead. I had expected much more from this weekend after securing two pole positions, so this victory is a nice way to round it off."
Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing), Second:
"This race was simply fantastic - until just before the finish. I had victory in sight, so I'm a bit disappointed with Robert's manoeuvre. The incident at Turn 1 after the restart cost me victory and him second place. At the moment, I feel a bit ambivalent about things. I started the weekend at the Lausitzring with a deficit of 38 points in the championship. Now I can look back on a win and two second places. With a bit more luck I could have achieved a hat-trick. The championship lead was within reach, and I missed out by only four points because of an unfortunate incident."
Robert Shwartzman (15, RUS, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), Third: "I've now achieved my sixth podium finish in a row in the ADAC Formula 4, which is really brilliant, but this time disappointment outweighs the success. After the restart ahead of the final lap, there was a misunderstanding with Joey Mawson on Turn 1. He got a bad restart and I saw Marvin Dienst approaching from behind. I only had one opportunity - to launch an attack, or be overtaken myself. From my perspective, Joey didn't give me enough space, so I lost a possible victory and second place at the same time. Overall, it was another good weekend for me, and I want to thank my team. The performance of the car has improved, and it should have been possible to do better than third place."
Mike Ortmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), best-placed rookie:
"A perfect climax to a super weekend. I've taken the lead in the overall standings of the rookie championship with my third rookie win in a row. It even looked as if a little more was possible on the last lap. I was briefly into second place, but I was on the outside and unfortunately lost a few places. Overall, the weekend at the Lausitzring went really well from qualifying onwards. I want to thank all of the fans who came to watch, my team and my parents for their support. Now I'm looking forward to the next race."