It was Frederik Vesti who took his first ADAC Formula 4 victory of the year at Oschersleben. The Dane has been a regular on the top step of his national F4 championship, though this is the first time he’s won in the German-based series.
The third and final race of the weekend proved to be a wet affair for the drivers. Starting second on the grid, Vesti had the perfect opportunity to claim a large haul of points in the reverse grid encounter.
As the lights went out it, all eyes were on the experienced polesitter Michael Waldherr. The German could not hold on though, going side-by-side with Vesti throughout the opening three corners, before settling for second.
Vesti would break away, albeit for a brief safety car, but maintained the gap enough to take his maiden F4 victory and become the eighth different winner this season.
Behind, Sophia Floersch had to sacrifice a podium after a technical failure through the fast corners sent her opponents swerving. This would benefit Juri Vips with the Estonian getting past Kim-Luis Schramm and Fabio Scherer as they took avoiding action.
As the race unfolded, Waldherr came under pressure from Vips and Schramm, but held them off for his best result of the season.
Sixth went to Marcus Armstrong, ending a five race podium streak. Lirim Zendeli and Jonathan Aberdein (who spun on the formation lap) would battle over seventh as Kami Laliberte overtook Van Amersfoort Racing teammate Felipe Drugovich in the closing stages to take ninth.
“This is sensational.” said Vesti. “I was fast all the way through. I pulled out a lead and then defended it. We were fast all weekend. Maybe not in qualifying, but in the race all the more so.”
“I really like this track. Joey Mawson is here, and he’s been giving me lots of tips. He is already very experienced, and he is like an inspiration for me.”
Championship Standings after Round 5: Vips – 150; Drugovich – 143; Armstrong – 141; Nielsen – 93; Schramm – 86; Scherer – 83; Aberdein – 72; Correa – 68; Hanses – 67; Laliberte – 65.
The race was interrupted by a safety car, after Tom Beckhauser hitched a ride on the back of Richard Wagner (Credit: ADAC Motorsports)
