Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark) has made an impressive return to the fray in the battle for the ADAC Formula 4 title. The Swedish driver won the second race on Sunday morning in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. As in the first round, Eriksson, who is placed second in the championship, beat off competition from the front-runner, Marvin Dienst (18, DEU, HTP Junior Team). The scrap played out against the magnificent backdrop of the DTM.
Mick Schumacher (16, DEU, Van Amersfoort Racing) in third place completed the party on the podium. The son of Formula 1 record world champion Michael Schumacher was also best-placed formula racing newcomer in the entire field. This was Schumacher's second podium finish after his victory in the season opener at the end of April at this same venue.
Seventh win of season for Eriksson
"This weekend has gone really well for me so far. I've taken 14 points out of Marvin in the championship - let's hope it continues," said Eriksson after his seventh win of the season in the home fixture of his Motopark team from Oschersleben. The 17-year-old took over the lead at the start from pole-setter Janneau Esmeijer (18, NED, HTP Junior Team), who did not get away well in the wet track conditions and fell back down the field.
Eriksson kept his nerve in a race characterised by three safety car periods and won through against his rival Dienst by a slender margin. The leading pair were separated by just 0.2 seconds at the finish after 18 laps. Championship leader Dienst continued his impressive run of podiums. The HTP Junior Team driver has secured podiums in all of the last nine races.
Second podium success for Schumacher
Schumacher asserted himself for the second time this weekend against many drivers with more formula racing experience. The day before, the 16-year-old had been presented with the trophy on the podium as the most successful rookie after finishing in fourth place. Schumacher remained calm and collected on Sunday and improved at the start from sixth to third position. Over the closing laps, the Van Amersfoort Racing youngster fended off attempts to pass by Esmeijer, who had worked his way back up into fourth place. The Dutch teenager locked up under braking while making an overtaking manoeuvre on the penultimate lap and dropped out of the race, enabling Schumacher to secure his second podium in the ADAC Formula 4 at the finish line.
David Beckmann (15, DEU, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), the second most successful rookie, took fifth place behind ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Tim Zimmermann (19, DEU, Neuhauser Racing). Mike Ortmann (15, DEU, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) finished sixth after making a charge up the field from 17th place on the grid. With fine performances from Toni Wolf (16, DEU, Toni Wolf) and Jannes Fittje (16, DEU, Motopark), four newcomers to formula racing booked positions five to eight. Never before in the history of the ADAC Formula 4 have five juniors contesting their very first season in formula racing finished in the top eight.
Eriksson still hard on Dienst's heels
The championship battle remains exciting as the penultimate race weekend of the season continues. Dienst still heads the standings after 20 of 24 races. The 18-year-old has so far amassed 298 points. His rival Eriksson again gained ground with his second win in Oschersleben. He now has 278 points and a 20-point deficit on Dienst.
Third-placed driver Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing) also has a chance of winning the title, but so far, things have not gone as the Van Amersfoort Racing driver would have wished at Oschersleben. The Australian did not finish in the second race. He has a 67-point deficit on Dienst. In the third race on Sunday (live on SPORT1 at 16:25 CET), Jannes Fittje will line up in pole position for his Motopark team from Oschersleben.
Comments from the podium
Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark), Winner:
"This weekend has gone really well for me so far. I've taken 14 points out of Marvin in the championship - let's hope it continues. My start was really great. I immediately pulled out a gap of a few metres and was able to calmly prepare for the first turn. The drying track made conditions very tricky, but it was not a problem all in all. The safety car deployments continually reduced my lead until finally, Marvin was in my slipstream. He attempted an attack in Turn 3, but that didn't work. I knew exactly where I needed to shut the door and had no trouble in defending myself. I'm now looking forward to the third race. Overtaking here is very difficult, but nothing is impossible."
Marvin Dienst (18, DEU, HTP Junior Team), Second:
"Second place is certainly not a bad result, but it's like in school, once you've achieved an A grade, you're then not satisfied when you get a B. I lead the championship and would obviously prefer not to drop points. However, I'm still a good way out in front, despite a tricky race. I was a little too aggressive when warming up the tyres on the formation lap, skidded on a wet patch and spun. Conditions were not easy, and I was relieved to make it through the first turn. Things were very close at times in the race with Joel. It really was a tough fight, but this time, the double victory went to him. I'll be lining up in front of him in the third race and will try to take my chance."
Mick Schumacher (16, DEU, Van Amersfoort Racing), Third:
"It's been really a good weekend for me so far, and we're all delighted. I also like the track, and it seems to suit me. I'll now try this afternoon to produce another good race and put my foot down again."