ADAC Formula 4 is about to enter the decisive phase of its inaugural season. This coming weekend (28th to 30th August, 2015), the ADAC High-Speed Academy will guest at the Sachsenring for the third-last race weekend of the 2015 season. An exciting three-way battle for the title has developed in the run-up to the three races at the scenic Sachsenring track.
Marvin Dienst (18, DEU, HTP Junior Team) is in the best position to lift the title after the last fixture at the Nürburgring. The HTP Junior Team driver won two of three races in the Eifel to regain the lead overall. After the 15th race of the season, Dienst on 194 points currently leads the overall standings from Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark / 184 points) and Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing / 173 points).
"I now have a small cushion in the championship battle," said Dienst. "The goal at the Sachsenring is obviously to extend my lead even further. The level of competition at the top is very high this season, and the tide could quickly turn."
Eriksson: Focused on more wins
Rival title contender Eriksson has led the championship for three race weekends and intends to build on his strong showing from the first half of the season. "I may have lost the overall lead, but that doesn't really matter," said the Motopark driver. "There are still over 200 points on the table. We now have to focus on continuing to do a good job and win more races." Eriksson and Dienst have so far taken the top spot on the podium five times each.
Australian Mawson has two victories to his name but has shown his consistency by securing six podiums. "I'm only 21 points behind the leaders," said the Van Amersfoort Racing driver. "I'll work hard to return to the podium in the three races at the Sachsenring." While the Sachsenring is new to Mawson, Dienst and Eriksson have already lined up there previously in the Formel ADAC, the predecessor to ADAC Formula 4.
Sachsenring challenge
A real challenge lies in store for the young talents in Saxony. The Sachsenring is made up of 14 demanding turns, some of which are taken blind, so drivers won't be able to see the exit to the corner. "The Sachsenring has everything - straights, technical passages and challenging sequences of turns like the Omega," said title contender Dienst.
Kim Luis Schramm (18, DEU, Neuhauser Racing) is also equally well acquainted with the demands of the Sachsenring. The Neuhauser Racing youngster lives just one and a half hours away from the circuit and is already familiar with it from his time in the Formel ADAC. "The track is quite narrow and is a bit of a roller-coaster," said Schramm, whose car bears start #1. "Driving will certainly be a challenge, given the large field of entrants in the ADAC Formula 4. A good grid position in qualifying is important, so as to keep well away from the in fighting in the crowded midfield."
Highlight for local favourite Toni Wolf
A high-point of the year lies ahead for Toni Wolf (16, DEU, Toni Wolf). The 16-year-old lives just 40 kilometres from the Sachsenring and will be contesting his home race. "Racing at home gives me an extra boost of motivation," he said. "A finish in the Top Ten would be a good result. The level of competition in the ADAC Formula 4 is very high, and as a rookie, I'm up against drivers, who have already had some formula racing experience."
Wolf is fighting for points in the ADAC Formula 4 Rookie Cup, which is contested exclusively by young talents without any previous automobile racing experience. Mike Ortmann (15, DEU, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) leads the Rookie Championship by a single point from team-mate David Beckmann (15, DEU, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport). The two sons of racing drivers, Jonathan Cecotto (16, VEN, Motopark) and Mick Schumacher (16, DEU, Van Amersfoort Racing) also have a good chance of winning the title. The son of Formula 1 world championship title record holder Michael Schumacher is ranked fourth on 25 points behind Ortmann in the lead.
All three races live on SPORT1 and SPORT1+
Fans can watch all three ADAC Formula 4 races from the Sachsenring live on TV. SPORT1 will broadcast the first race on Saturday, August 29th at 11:55 am and the third race on Sunday at 4:00 pm. SPORT1+ will feature the second race live on Saturday at 3:40 pm. All 24 races of the ADAC Formula 4 are also available as live streams at: www.SPORT1.de and adac.de/motorsport.