Taylor Barnard (PHM Racing) will start the first two ADAC Formula 4 races at the DEKRA Lausitzring from first place on the grid. The Brit was unbeatable in qualifying and won his second Pole Position Award from tyre partner Pirelli. Kacper Sztuka (16/POL/US Racing) qualified second for races 13 and 14 of the season.
Perfekter Freitag für Barnard: Nach seinen BestIt was a perfect Friday for Barnard: after setting the fastest time in both practice sessions at the 3.478-kilometre circuit, the 18-year-old also topped the timings in qualifying. Under a cloudy sky and with temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius, he clocked the fastest time of 1:23.738 minutes. The pole-sitter was embroiled in a battle with Sztuka, who was ultimately beaten by 0.372 seconds. Nikita Bedrin (16/ITA/PHM Racing) qualified third (+ 0.430 seconds). The best-placed rookie was Valentin Kluss (15/Bad Mergentheim/PHM Racing), who could be very happy with fourth place and his best qualifying result so far (+0.562 seconds). The ADAC Stiftung Sport driver is contesting only his third race weekend in the ADAC’s high-speed school. Rasmus Joutsimies (19/FIN/Jenzer Motorsport) completed the top five (+0.765 seconds).
Barnard was again unstoppable in the second 15-minute session (1:23.341 minutes), again pipping Sztuka (+0.265 seconds) to pole. “I am thrilled with the result. Today was just perfect for me. Pole position is on the outside at the Lausitzring, so I will definitely have to defend and close off the inside at the start,” said Barnard, a two-time winner already this season. His performance earned Paul Müller’s team a double pole at its home event. The team’s headquarters are located in Berlin, roughly 135 kilometres from the racetrack in Schipkau.
Bedrin (+ 0.577 seconds) and Joutsimies, who was the fastest rookie (+ 0.761 seconds), share the second row of the grid on Sunday morning. Zachary David (US Racing) lines up in fifth place on his debut (+ 0.781 seconds).The 15-year-old is the first Philippine driver to race in ADAC Formula 4.
The opening race in Lower Lusatia begins at 11:35 on Saturday. The action involving the stars of tomorrow will be streamed live and free of charge at Motorsport.tv.
