Charlie Wurz (Prema Racing) and Jonas Ried (PHM Racing) are both contesting their first seasons in ADAC Formula 4 in 2022. At the season-opener in Spa-Francorchamps, the two youngsters were visited by their fathers, who also have petrol running through their veins.

Austrian Wurz was supported at his first weekend in ADAC Formula 4 by his father Alex Wurz, the former Formula 1 driver. Wurz senior was involved in the pinnacle of motorsport from 1997 to 2007 and also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on two occasions.

The support certainly seemed to help, as the 16-year-old finished on the podium alongside his team-mates Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Italy) and Rafael Camara (Brazil) in Saturday’s opening race. In race three, on Sunday, Wurz produced an impressive fightback with many overtaking manoeuvres: From 17th, he climbed into the top five. Wurz lies fifth in the championship with 25 points.

Support for Ried too

Jonas Ried enjoyed a successful debut in the ADAC’s high-speed school, finishing seventh in race two on Saturday. The 17-year-old from Ehingen lines up for Berlin-based team PHM Racing this year, and is currently tenth in the Drivers’ Championship. Christian Ried followed his son’s races live at the circuit in the Ardennes, Belgium. Ried starts with his team Proton Competition in the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC.

Wurz and Ried return to action at the second race weekend of the ADAC Formula 4 season, from 13th to 15th May at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg.