Fifth ADAC Formula 4 meeting in the run-up to the summer vacation. Before breaking up for the summer hols, the ADAC High-Speed Academy staged Races 13, 14 and 15 this weekend (4th - 6th August) at the legendary Nürburgring which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Lirim Zendeli (17, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) took his second win of the season, Marcus Armstrong (17, New Zealand, Prema Powerteam) his third victory and Felipe Drugovich (17, Brazil, Van Amersfoort Racing) his fourth. The drivers from Kerpen-based US Racing, Kim-Luis Schramm (20, Germany), Fabio Scherer (18, Switzerland) and Julian Hanses (19, Germany) secured three podiums between them in their team's home fixture while the guest starter with the famous racing driver surname, Enzo Fittipaldi (16, Brazil, Prema Powerteam), proved his talent with one third place and two P7s.
Things are hotting up even more at the top of the overall standings. The way things currently stand at the head of the table, drivers, teams and fans can look forward to a thrilling fight for the win in the individual rankings. The final spurt down the home straight to the end of the season will begin with the race weekend at the Sachsenring (13th - 15th September) and end with the big finale at the Hockenheimring (22nd - 24th September).
Hot tips: The Brazilian, Enzo Fittipaldi, raced for the first time in the German series for juniors. The grandson of two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi had taken on board his grandfather's hot tips and secured his first podium in the third race. What's more, he placed in the Top Ten in all three races. The Prema driver was very impressed both by the Nürburgring and by the German Formula 4 series, which is why we'll be seeing more of the friendly Brazilian, Fittipaldi Junior, who lives in the USA. He intends to be back in the ADAC Formula 4 line-up for the season finale at the Hockenheimring.
Red carpet – curtain up: CARS 3 will premier in German cinemas on the 28th September, and there could be no better person to promote this Disney movie than the only female driver in the ADAC Formula 4, Sophia Flörsch (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.). The 16-year-old has been asked to endorse a competition, the accompanying trailer for which is running in the opening credits of Ostwind 3, currently showing in all Cinestar cinemas. You still have time until 10th September to register for the competition at http://www.cinestar.de. The main prize winner will win an exclusive trip with overnight stay to the ADAC Formula 4 finale at the Hockenheimring. The highlight of the weekend will be a Meet & Greet with Sophia, during which the girls and boys will be able to examine her F4 racing car at close quarters. Sophia also made a good impression at the historic circuit in the Eifel where she placed eleventh in the third race, just narrowly missing the Top Ten.
VIP visitor: Former German national team soccer player, Stefan Effenberg, also stopped by to watch the ADAC races at the Nürburgring on Saturday. He was, of course, especially interested in ADAC GT Masters driver Luca Stolz, who belongs to the team at the marketing agency where Effenberg is a partner. The 2001 UEFA Champions League winner also showed an interest in the ADAC Formula 4 and ADAC TCR Germany races.
Lucky mascot: Some 17,000 spectators were at the track over the weekend. Among them were many friends and family members keen to see their favourites race. Lirim Zendeli from Bochum said 'hello' to many of his fans gathered at the side of the track. They were subsequently able to watch him secure his second win of the season. Julian Hanses from Hilden also enjoyed a lot of support for his home fixture. However, support came not only from nearby but also from much further afield. Felipe Drugovich's family were also there to spectate along with a large group from Switzerland, who were delighted to see Fabio Scherer take third place.
Multi-tasking: Team Principal Ralf Schumacher had several tasks to perform at the weekend. Apart from looking after his Formula 4 team, US Racing, which he co-manages with his team boss colleague, Gerhard Ungar, the ex-Formula 1 driver was behind the SPORT1 microphone on Saturday. Schumacher joined DTM's record-breaking champion, Bernd Schneider, as a pundit to assist ADAC GT Masters commentator Patrick Simon with his live broadcast. On the Thursday before the race weekend, Schumacher had invited many drivers and officials to join him for a 'warm-up' session at his restaurant in Bergheim.
New team: Russian teenager Artem Petrov (17, Russia) lined up at the Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, for Austrian team Lechner in early June. He made another guest appearance in the ADAC Formula 4 this weekend at the Nürburgring, racing for Portuguese team, DR Formula Racing.
Holidays... are next up on the agenda for many drivers, including Felipe Drugovich, who is heading off to see his folks in Brazil for a couple of weeks. Marcus Armstrong will also use the break to be with his family again after six months. They're off to the USA.