The series experienced head Kim-Luis Schramm took a well-deserved victory in the opening ADAC Formula 4 race of the weekend at the Lausitzring. The result though remains provisional as himself and his US Racing teammates could be disqualified.
After Qualifying, the officials checked the four US Racing cars, who had locked out the first two rows, only to find the cars lacked Camber Shims on the front right wheel suspension.
Because the Lausitzring is an anticlockwise circuit, the reduction of appropriate camber on the right side may have aided the cars on the oval sections of the track, where it is banked, while also reducing wear on the front-left tyre, which would have worn the most during a weekend. The team lodged an appeal and they have been allowed to enter until the German Motor Sports Federation (DMSB) have made a final ruling.
This saw the team take up their spots on the grid, with Schramm on pole position.
As the highest placed non-US Racing driver, Kami Laliberte was determined to take advantage into the first corner, diving on the hoard in front and gaining some ground. Jonathan Aberdein would try the same a few corners later only to take out Fabio Scherer and bring out the safety car.
The green flag reappeared with Juan Manuel Correa now battling for sixth with Nicklas Neilsen. The latter had fallen back at the start and made an audacious move on the American, only for the two to collide, taking Correa out of proceedings. Nielsen continued, but stalled after a front-wing change, ending his race early as well.
Elsewhere, the other Prema Powerteam drivers were on a charge. From twelfth on the grid, Juri Vips was inside the top five with 10 minutes to go as he negotiated teammate Marcus Armstrong. Vips would soon make his way past the dropping Julian Hanses, securing the final podium place.
Up front though, Schramm held off the advances and pressure from Laliberte to take just the second win of his career. Vips would cross the line in third, another three seconds further back.
Hanses and Armstrong rounded out the top five, with a quiet race from Felipe Drugovich saw the Brazilian take an unchallenged sixth place. He was followed most of the way by teammate Fredrik Vesti, with the Dane’s best result of the season so far.
Cedric Piro benefitted from a dire race for the BWT Mucke Motorsport cars and many of the front-runners to take eighth ahead of Lirim Zendeli, who spent the race under pressure from the midfield runners behind. Taking the final point and race three pole position would be Louis Gachot, ensuring all four Van Amersfoort Racing drivers scored points.