Picariello claims two pole positions during season-opener at Oschersleben

• Alessio Picariello on pole in first two races
• Three drivers from Berlin-based racing team Mücke Motorsport in top four
• ADAC Sports Foundation protégés Jason Kremer and Maximilian Günther in second and third place

etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben - Qualifying

Date: 27 April 2013
Weather: Rainy, 6°C
Circuit length: 3.696 km
Pole Race 1: Alessio Picariello
Pole Race 2: Alessio Picariello

Oschersleben - The young Formel ADAC drivers get the new season under way: the first three of a total of 24 races scheduled for this year will take place in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben this weekend (26th-28th April 2013). Qualifying marked the official start of the 2013 season for the ADAC's high-speed academy: Alessio Picariello (19, Belgium, Mücke Motorsport) set the fastest time in qualifying, securing the best possible grid position for the upcoming races in the Vale of Madgeburg.

In wet conditions, the young Belgian covered the 3.696km circuit in 1:44.819 minutes on his fastest lap giving him pole position in the first race. Picariello also starts the second race on Sunday from the top spot. In this second race, starting positions are decided by the second fastest lap times in qualifying. "These two pole positions in the first two races are a perfect start to the new season and a great debut for my new team, Mücke Motorsport," said a happy Picariello.

Jason Kremer (18, Germany, Schiller/G & J Motorsport) set the second fastest lap time in 1:45.469 minutes and also starts on the front row. The ADAC Sports Foundation protégé was 0.650 seconds behind pole-sitter Picariello. ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Maximilian Günther (15, Germany, Mücke Motorsport) took third position on the timesheet with a personal best time of 1:45.827 minutes. Hendrik Grapp (19, Germany, Mücke Motorsport) completes the second row, so three drivers from Berlin-based racing team Mücke Motorsport are in the top four.

Young Danish driver Mikkel Jensen (18, Denmark, Lotus) took fifth place in the first qualifying session of the year from fellow Dane Nicolas Beer (17, Denmark, Neuhauser Racing). The first South African driver in the history of the Formel ADAC, Callan O'Keeffe (16, South Africa, Lotus), and Kim Luis Schramm (15, Germany, Mücke Motorsport) share the fourth row.

Qualifying was interrupted twice by the red flag. Firstly, after just six minutes, newcomer to the series Martin Gatz (18, Germany, KSW Motorsport) slid into the gravel on a wet track. Ten minutes later, Ralph Boschung (15, Switzerland, KUG Motorsport) and Dutch driver Stéphane Kox (19, Netherlands, KUG Motorsport) lost control of their cars, spinning off track.

Alessio Picariello (19, BEL, Mücke Motorsport), Pole - Race 1 and 2:
"Securing pole position in the first two races is a perfect way to start the new season and a great debut for my new team, Mücke Motorsport. The rain in qualifying did not bother me, because, whilst conditions were wet, there was only a little water on the track. However, the red flags made things worse, since I had to stop, restart, and warm up the tyres again. I am particularly pleased with my consistently fast lap times - crucial in a strong field as competitive as the Formel ADAC. Now I must repeat this performance in the race. My goal is clear: I want to win and achieve maximum points."