17-year-old Russian driver, Michael Belov, fielded by Team R-ace GP, set the fastest time in the first ADAC Formula 4 practice session at the Sachsenring. He lapped the circuit near Dresden in a time of 1:31.138 minutes, consigning championship leader, Theo Pourchaire (US Racing CHRS), to second place with a deficit of 0.135 seconds. Pourchaire’s arch rival, Norwegian teenager Dennis Hauger from Van Amersfoort Racing, finished third in the wet conditions.

Pourchaire (France) has a one-point lead in the overall standings on Hauger ahead of the final three races of the season. Arthur Leclerc (US Racing CHRS) is third overall. Arthur, the brother of Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc, finished fifth this Friday morning behind the Brazilian, Gianluca Petecof (Prema Powerteam). Gregoire Saucy (R-ace GP) took P6 from Prema Powerteam’s Paul Aron. Alessandro Ghiretti (US Racing CHRS), Sebastian Estner (Van Amersfoort Racing) and Oliver Rasmussen (Prema Powerteam) completed the Top Ten.

FP2 at 12.10 pm is next up on the schedule for the juniors from the ADAC High-Speed Academy. Qualifying will take place later this evening. SPORT1 will broadcast the ADAC Formula 4 races on TV this Saturday and Sunday and online at SPORT1.de. Racing can also be watched as live stream at adac.de/motorsport, on the Facebook page of the ADAC Formula 4 and at youtube.com/adac with a choice of German or English commentary.