ADAC Formula 4

ADAC F4 Arrives at the Red Bull Ring

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The inaugural season of the ADAC Formula 4 championship returns for the second round of the season in Austria at the Red Bull Ring. It will be the home race for a few teams and drivers who will look to improve on their performance at the last race in Oschersleben.

In the main championship, Marvin Dienst currently leads the way. After winning two of the three races in Oscherlsleben he’ll be looking to build on his impressive performance. “I’ve raced at the Red Bull Ring before and hope that I can exploit this advantage,” says the HTP Junior Team driver. “The track is very challenging and calls for an aggressive approach.”

It’s likely that Janneau Esmeijer will the driver to watch this weekend, he proved to have quick qualifying pace and picked up a podium, however; two incidents ruined his chances and meant the Dutch driver retired from two of the three rounds.

In third and fourth are Joey Mawson and Mattia Drudi, while neither shone last time out, their consistant performances have kept them in the championship and could help later on in the year. Despite this, Mawson remains 20 points off the leader, Dienst.

However; Dienst himself, will have to keep behind Ralf Aron who currently lies second 13 points off him. Aron, who also competes in the Italian F4 championship will be joined by some of his series rivals.

Rookie Championship

The Italian F4 leader, Guan Yu Zhou will also be returning. The Ferrari sponsored young driver struggled in the opening weekends races only picking up 4 points in the overall championship. However; his points in the second race did also earn him first in the rookie category. Despite this, an incident filled third race ruined his chances.

Joining him in both championships are Yan Leon Shlom, Robert Schwartzman and David Beckmann. It will be the first race for Beckmann who was not old enough to compete with the other drivers in Oschersleben. However; an impressive karting career as well as a victory in Italian F4 will make him a likely points contender.

However; the most news will be around Mick Schumacher. He performed well in Oschersleben, picking up the best rookie trophy and winning the final race of the weekend. The son of Michael Schumacher is also the current rookie leader, 17 points in front of Jonathon Cecotto in the rookie championship.

Home Event

Two teams have entered the championship with Austrian Licences, as Lechner Racing and Neuhauser Racing will be hoping for good fortunes. Neuhauser’s Tim Zimmermann commented, saying;

“In last year’s ADAC Formula Masters, we were very strong here and laid the foundation for our ultimate victory in the team championship. Our pace is good, and the fact that it is our home race provides added motivation.”

While Lechner also have, Florian Janitz, an Austrian driver who will hoping for good fortune on home soil.

“There is something special about competing in front of your home crowd,” says Janits. “I’m sure that a lot of my friends and sponsorship partners will be cheering from the stands, and in any case, the atmosphere at the Red Bull Ring is always fabulous.”

He won’t be the only driver celebrating his home race. Thomas Preining will hope to improve on his podium last time out. The Mucke Motorsport driver is currently third in the rookies championship and knows that he can do well having competed at the track before.

“The Red Bull Ring is a really cool track and I am looking forward it. Even though it’s my home race, I don’t feel under extra pressure. In fact, it gives me an extra dose of motivation to attack. Perhaps I’ll come away with another podium finish.”

The weekend will start on Friday with practice at 10:35 and 14:55 local time. Qualifying and Race 1 are on the Saturday, with Race 2 and 3 being on the Sunday.

Credit: Nick Smith / TheImageTeam.com
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Single-Seater Specialist who worked for TCF from 2015-19. Come finding me wandering the paddock.
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