Celebrity signing for the debut season of the ADAC Formula 4, as four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel becomes patron to the ADAC´s new junior open-wheel series. Vettel himself competed in one of the ADAC´s junior series early on in his career.

"I can well remember the early years of my career in single-seater racing and have a lot to thank the ADAC for. It was a fantastic time for me, but also very important in my development as a racing driver. That´s why I´m pleased to make a contribution, along with the ADAC, to increasing the attraction of Formula 4. I´ll be following the championship with great interest; these guys are going to be racing at a high level, and I´m sure that I´ll be seeing some of them eventually in Formula 1."

The current four-time Formula 1 world champion moved from karting to Formula BMW ADAC in 2003. He won five races straightaway in his first season contesting the series and finished runner-up. In 2004, Vettel then comfortably secured the Formula BMW ADAC championship title. He won 18 out of 20 races that season, achieving a podium in every race.

"With Sebastian Vettel, we have gained a successful Formula 1 driver as patron to the new ADAC Formula 4 series, someone who gained first-hand experience of the ADAC´s youth development programme at the beginning of his career," said ADAC Sports President Hermann Tomczyk. "Sebastian has been part of the ADAC family since the start of his career in formula racing. It´s great that he is now returning to his roots as four time Formula 1 champion and is so committed to developing young talent. It will be an additional boost to the motivation of these youngsters when they see that Sebastian started out in exactly the same way and that he is now supporting them on their career path into a hopefully successful future in motor racing."

The ADAC development programme for single-seater junior drivers has long been the starting point for potential motor racing aces. Apart from Vettel, other Formula 1 drivers such as world championship runner-up Nico Rosberg, Nico Hülkenberg and Ralf Schumacher plus DTM stars, including Martin Tomczyk and Timo Glock all began their successful careers in ADAC junior formula series at some point in the past.

Former Formula 1 and DTM driver Ralf Schumacher will again continue to act as patron to the ADAC Kart Masters during the 2015 season. In this role, Schumacher has supported the work of the world´s second largest automobile club and has aided the youngsters with advice and assistance since 2012. Since 2015, Ralf Schumacher has also played his part as a member of the ADAC Sports Foundation advisory council. The ADAC Sports Foundation supports talented youngsters from the varied fields of single-seater racing, karting, motocross, motorcycling and rally driving. In addition to financial backing, these drivers and riders also have the opportunity to attend courses on vehicle tuning, tyre management, media skills and nutrition. They also receive mentoring on physical and mental fitness.