Joey Mawson confirmed his fine form from the first ADAC Formula 4 race weekend by setting best time in first free practice at the Sachsenring. The 20-year-old Australian fielded by Dutch squad, Van Amersfoort Racing, covered the demanding circuit at Hohenstein-Ernstthal in 1:20.256 minutes on his fastest lap. Behind Mawson, who won the third race last year, came Kim Luis Schramm (18, DEU) for Kerpen-based team US Racing with a time of 1:20.396 and Jonathan Aberdein (18, South Africa, Motopark) in 1:20.552 minutes.

Aberdein's team-mate, Sophia Flörsch (15, DEU), who is sponsored by the ADAC Sports Foundation, was sixth (1:21.048). Philip Hamprecht (18, Switzerland, RS Competition) placed fifth with a time of 1:20.911. The ex-Formel ADAC driver is making his first outing in the ADAC Formula 4 this season at the Sachsenring as replacement for Leonard Hoogenboom (16, Netherlands), who has switched to Van Amersfoort Racing. Mick Schumacher (17, Switzerland, Prema Powerteam) finished in 16th place (1:21.890). He is currently in second place overall in the standings.

The qualifying heats will be held this afternoon at 5:15 and 5:40 pm when the drivers will be split into their respective groups for two 20-minute sessions. The top eleven drivers from each group will qualify directly for the races on Saturday and Sunday. All the other drivers will get another chance in the qualifying race on Saturday at 10:45 am to decide grid positions 23 and upwards.

Three races will be staged during this race weekend at the Sachsenring. The drivers will commence the hunt for points on Saturday at 4:45 pm. SPORT1 will broadcast the fixture live. Race 2 is on Sunday at 11.20 am (live on SPORT1+) followed by Race 3 at 3.40 pm (live on SPORT1+).