Denmark's Frederik Vesti (16, Van Amersfoort Racing) set the pace in the first free practice session of the ADAC Formula 4 which shares the billing with the Emirates Formula 1 German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring Baden Württemberg. The 16-year-old was the fastest contestant on Friday morning amid sunshine and in optimum track conditions, clocking a time of 01:41.205 minutes. He finished the session ahead of championship leaders Lirim Zendeli (18, Bochum, US Racing CHRS) and New Zealander Liam Lawson (16, Van Amersfoort Racing).

Enzo Fittipaldi (USA/Brazil, Prema Theodore Racing), who celebrated his 17th birthday two days ago, Mick Wishofer (18, Austria, US Racing CHRS) and rookie Gianluca Petecof (15, Brazil, Prema Theodore Racing) were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. P7 to P10 went to Tom Beckhäuser (19, Czech Republic, US Racing CHRS), rookie Joey Alders (18, Netherlands, Van Amersfoort Racing), Oliver Caldwell (16, Great Britain, Prema Theodore Racing) and rookie David Schumacher (16, Bergheim, US Racing CHRS).

This is the first occasion on which the ADAC Formula 4 youngsters have raced as part of the support programme to the premier class. On Saturday (09:45 CEST) the aspiring young talents of the ADAC High-Speed Academy get down to the serious business of qualifying. The first race of the weekend comes late in the afternoon at 17:00 CEST. The second of only two races this time follows on Sunday morning at 10:10 CEST. SPORT1 is showing the ADAC Formula 4 races on TV, and they can also be seen online at www.adac.de/motorsport and www.SPORT1.de.