18 points separate the top two drivers going into the final ADAC Formula 4 race at the Hockenheimring. Pole-sitter Alex Dunne was the best-placed rookie in fourth.
Tim Tramnitz (16, Hamburg, US Racing) won Sunday morning’s ADAC Formula 4 race at the Hockenheimring to claim his fourth victory of the season. After a fiercely-competitive start, he found a way past his rival Oliver Bearman (16, Van Amersfoort Racing) on the opening lap. He then led the field home in commanding fashion.
“I am very happy with the way today’s race day has started, and with the work the team has done. I am pleased that I was able to counter Oli on the first lap. That was important, as yesterday showed that it is not easy to overtake here, despite the long straights and potential overtaking opportunities,” said Tramnitz after the race.
Pole-sitter Alex Dunne (15, Ireland, US Racing) dropped back to fifth after an eventful start, while championship leader Oliver Bearman moved to the head of the field. Behind them, Van Amersfoort Racing driver Nikita Bedrin (15, Russia) touched the wall, resulting in his retirement and a safety car phase for the rest of the field.
As the opening lap progressed, and before the safety car arrived on the track, Bearman made a mistake under braking, which Tramnitz took full advantage of to pass him and take the lead. Then came the safety car phase. When the race restarted, yesterday’s winner Victor Bernier (17, France, R-ace GP) overtook Browning and climbed into third place on lap four. Still on lap four, Revesz Levente (16, Hungary, R-ace GP) crashed out, bringing out the safety car for the second time in the race. After the restart, Tramnitz managed to pull clear at the head of the field. Behind him, Bearman and Bernier were embroiled in a thrilling battle for second place, with Bearman ultimately coming out on top.
Dunne followed the leading trio home in fourth place as the best rookie. In doing so, the 15-year-old Irishman made amends for his disastrous race on Saturday, which he failed to finish after starting from pole position.
“I now want to win the next races and score as many points as possible. I am here to win the championship,” said the visibly happy Tramnitz, with regard to the rest of the season and the gap between himself and Oliver Bearman at the top of the championship, which has now shrunk to 18 points.
A further 25 points are up for grabs in Sunday afternoon’s final race of the weekend in Hockenheim, in which the reverse grid format sees the first eight drivers start in reverse order. Tramnitz lines up in eighth place, directly behind Bearman. Sami Meguetounif (17, France, R-ace GP) starts the race from pole position.
Race three, which gets underway at 14:15, promises to be another thriller. The season finale takes place from 5th to 7th November at the Nürburgring.