Formel ADAC at Spa-Francorchamps: Talent meets tradition

• Formel ADAC premiere at legendary Spa-Francorchamps Formula 1 circuit
• Home race for championship leader Alessio Picariello
• Picariello: “I’m expecting three very close, thrilling races”

Spa-Francorchamps – Formel ADAC enters new territory for the second race weekend of the 2013 season: the successful single-seater ADAC junior series will be run for the first time at the historic 7.004km Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Since 1950, the circuit has been the venue for 45 Formula 1 races and is one of the world’s most popular tracks with both drivers and fans alike. On the second race weekend of the 2013 season, the young Formel ADAC drivers will steel themselves for the challenge of the famous Ardennes roller coaster.

Championship leader Picariello aiming for home win

Local driver Alessio Picariello (19, Belgium, Mücke Motorsport) is in his second year in the Formel ADAC and can hardly wait to drive on the track in front of a home crowd for the first time. “I will be very pleased to have my family with me during the race weekend,” said the championship leader. “I hope that fans in the stands will give me some support too – certain sections of the Belgian media have also shown interest.”

The Belgian driver has already gained some previous experience of racing on the Spa Francorchamps track in other series. “I won one race and finished second in another – long may that continue,” said Picariello about his home race.

Benedikt Gentgen (15, JBR Motorsport & Engineering), who comes from a small town in nearby Germany will also have a short trip to the second race weekend of the season and he too expects many relatives and sponsors to come to the track. Gentgen: “I’m looking forward to the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps – the atmosphere especially should be fantastic. It makes me really proud to have come so far already in motor racing.”

Exciting race on Ardennes Roller Coaster

For some people, they are just Belgian place names, for others, they represent the most beautiful corners in the world: Stavelot, Blanchimont, Les Combes and Malmédy – they all give their names to sections of track at what is perhaps the most exciting circuit in the world. Stunning curves like Eau Rouge and Rivage present drivers with a major challenge.

Picariello: “The first sector with great turns such as Eau Rouge and Les Combes is very long and particularly demanding. Slip-streaming on the long straights enables you to follow the car in front very easily – I’m expecting three very close, thrilling races.”

With a length of 7.004 kilometres, Spa-Francorchamps is the longest circuit on the Formel ADAC calendar – no easy task for the young drivers of the ADAC academy. Gentgen explains the problem: “Due to the length of the circuit, the number of laps covered is relatively small, meaning that any error can be compounded. Therefore, the driver’s full concentration is required.” At the same time, variable conditions on the Ardennes roller coaster can provide plenty of excitement. “If the track is dry in one area but wet elsewhere, that can certainly be a big challenge,” says the 15-year-old. Like their great role models from Formula 1, the young Formel ADAC drivers must try to make the best of these conditions with the aid of tactical skill and Lady Luck.