Hockenheim Preview: Motodrom thriller

• Exciting title fight between Gustav Malja and Marvin Kirchhöfer
• Just two points separate the two championship contenders ahead of the grand finale at Hockenheim
• Title decider available online as live stream at www.adac.de/motorsport/

Hockenheim - A football stadium-like atmosphere, a track with good overtaking possibilities and a minimal points gap between the two title contenders - all the ingredients for the heart-stopping climax to the Formel ADAC; just two points separate championship leader Gustav Malja (16, Sweden, Neuhauser Racing) and rival Marvin Kirchhöfer (18, Leipzig, Lotus) with the final three races in prospect at Hockenheim.

Title Candidate 1: Gustav Malja

Young Swedish driver Gustav Malja has led the championship table since the race weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. He has achieved three victories and 13 podiums so far this season, which have given him a narrow lead of two points before the final weekend.

Malja: "Qualifying will be one of the key factors. If all goes well in qualifying, then race victories and the title itself are a distinct possibility. Marvin certainly has the same goal, but I'm confident that we can be that crucial bit better. This would be fantastic for me, since I've not won any other titles so far, apart from the Swedish national karting championship."

Title Candidate 2: Marvin Kirchhöfer

Marvin Kirchhöfer got off to a cracking start in his first season in the Formel ADAC: he won the season-opener at Oschersleben and then led the championship for four race weekends after that. Kirchhöfer is this season's most successful driver in the Formel ADAC with six wins (twice as many as title rival Malja) and 13 podium finishes.

"We intend continuing at Hockenheim where we left off at the Nürburgring," said Kirchhöfer, who with two wins and a second place in the Eifel took 23 points out of Malja to reduce the gap. "Of course, a bit of luck is always important, but I'll do my best to turn around the two-point deficit at Hockenheim and win the title on the home straight."

Circuit: Showdown in the Motodrom

The stage is set for the grand finale at the Hockenheimring which regularly plays host to the ADAC Masters Weekend, Formula 1 and the DTM. This historic 4.574km track consists of 17 turns (six left- and eleven right-handers) and affords good overtaking opportunities, especially at the hairpin. Malja: "The track is a mixture of fast and slow turns, and racing there is a whole lot of fun."

A particular feature of the circuit is the special atmosphere in the Motodrom stadium section. Kirchhöfer: "I love the bit where you arrive in the Motodrom. It is simply amazing to see all the spectators. This weekend, the crowds in the Motodrom will definitely be cheering loudly as one of the two title contenders is proclaimed the new Formel ADAC champion: Malja or Kirchhöfer.