First they shook hands with a Formula 1 star and then watched a top-class pit crew at work. ADAC Formula 4 driver Niklas Krütten (16, Germany, Van Amersfoort Racing), Arthur Leclerc (18, Monaco, US Racing CHRS), Gianluca Petecof (16, Brazil, Prema Powerteam), Théo Pourchaire (15, France, US Racing CHRS) and Roman Stanek (15, Czech Republic, US Racing CHRS) had a dream day in the run-up to the ADAC Formula 4 weekend at Hockenheim, which this time shares the billing with Formula 1. The five juniors were invited by Arthur Leclerc's brother Charles (21) to take a tour with him of the Scuderia Ferrari garage. The rising star of F1 offered insights into what goes on in the highest echelon of the sport, patiently answered questions and gave some valuable advice.

"It's going to be a great weekend," said Théo Pourchaire, who shares the championship lead with Niklas Krütten after the first six races of the campaign. "Of course, everyone wants to win the races or at the very least get onto the podium against a backdrop like this. I'm ahead in the championship and want to keep it that way. It was great to meet up with Charles. He's a good guy, and he drives for one of Formula 1's best teams. It's unbelievable how many people they have working on the two cars. And on the subject of cars, they're big, really interesting and impressive."

All the other drivers in the select group concurred with his view, and even Arthur, who already knows all about Formula 1 from what his brother has told him, was impressed. "To meet up with him at the racetrack is special", says the current championship third. "It's my dream that we will both one day drive in Formula 1, and I hope that it will eventually become a reality."

It's a dream that Leclerc junior shares with all the other ADAC Formula 4 contestants. This weekend, the youngsters of the ADAC High-Speed Academy will be competing in two races on this huge stage, the first on Saturday (17:00 CEST) and the second on Sunday (10:25 CEST). SPORT1 and SPORT1+ will be showing both races live on TV. There will also be online streaming via adac.de/motorsport and on the ADAC Formula 4 Facebook page.

ADAC Formula 4 shared the limelight in 2018 too, as Ferrari Junior Gianluca Petecof, winner of the season opener at Oschersleben, well remembers: "It's an indescribable feeling, absolutely great. In the garage you get an idea of how intensively they have to work in Formula 1. I already know Charles, but it was great to see him here in this context. It's a special feeling to be competing against this backdrop, and I simply cannot wait to get started."

Rookie Roman Stanek: "It was super exciting to see how everything is done and how complex the work is in in Formula 1. But for the drivers, it's not that much different from the ADAC Formula 4 where it's all about being as fast as possible. But there is obviously far more going on. It's clearly going to be fantastic having so many people watching, but in the race, I'll be shutting all of that out and concentrate on doing my job."

On Friday, the ADAC Formula 4 juniors will be getting down to the serious business of free practice (the first session at the Hockenheimring starts at 09:45 CEST) in preparation for Saturdays' qualifying, also at 09:45 CEST.