First win for Kuba Dalewski in the Formel ADAC

• Debut victory and second podium finish for Kuba Dalewski this weekend
• Dalewski: “Not the easiest of wins.”
• Gustav Malja spins off track but then claims podium from last place
• Drivers from three different teams and countries on podium

Motorsport Arena Oschersleben – Race 3
Date: 1 April 2012
Race: 3/24
Weather: Cloudy, 10°C
Circuit length: 3.696 km
Pole position: Roy Nissany
Laps: 17
Winner: Kuba Dalewski
Fastest Lap: Kuba Dalewski (1:31.428)

Oschersleben – Three races, three different winners: The first race weekend of the 2012 Formel ADAC was certainly very entertaining. Kuba Dalewski (17, POL, Lotus) took his maiden victory in the final race at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. The first Polish driver to race in the Formel ADAC achieved a podium for the second time this Sunday; in the second race, he had moved up from 13th on the grid to finish in third place. Dalewski: “That was a hard-earned victory, but things could hardly have gone better for me at the season opener in Oschersleben.”

Luca Caspari (16, Heerbusch, Mücke Motorsport) retained his second place on the grid at the finish line. Gustav Malya (16, SWE, Mücke Motorsport), who had started in fifth place, prevailed against Clemente Picariello (18, BEL, G & J / Schiller Motorsport) in a thrilling scrap during the closing stages and completes the international line-up on the podium. Winner of Saturday’s opening race, Marvin Kirchhöfer (17, Leipzig, Lotus), crossed the finish line in fifth position behind Picariello.

The first laps of the race were very thrilling: Roy Nissany (17, ISR, Mücke Motorsport) defended his pole position at the start, but made an error one lap later, dropping down to fifth. Dalewski moved up four places during the initial stages to take the lead, which he maintained to the end of the race. Swedish driver Malja had his heart in his mouth after losing control of his car. He dropped back to last place. His subsequent charge took him up through the entire field to the podium.

Thomas Jäger (17, AUT, Neuhauser Racing), who won the second race at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, battled his way up from eighth on the grid to fourth position, but spun during a scrap with Jason Kremer (17, Bonn, Mücke Motorsport) and finished in 15th position. The Mücke Motorsport driver was given a drive-through penalty.

Comments from the Top 3 drivers

Kuba Dalewski, race winner:
“That wasn’t the easiest of wins. The other drivers out there were really fast today, but I had good pace towards the finish which secured victory for me on both occasions. I got off to a great start today and passed two other cars on the first lap to work my way up to fourth. I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the team – the setup of my car was perfect. I’m absolutely delighted. This first weekend of the season couldn’t have gone any better.”

Luca Caspari, second:
“After the hurly-burly of the first few laps with many changes of position at front of the field, I secured second place. I tried to take the lead, but my tyres were degrading during the race. Instead of really going for it, I concentrated on maintaining a safe second position to the finish line. A place on the podium – not bad for my premiere weekend at the Formel ADAC.”

Gustav Malja, third:
“It was a spectacular race for me! I got away well at the start, but collided with another driver on the second turn, spun and dropped down to the rear of the field. Actually, my race should have been over at this point, but the car was perfectly set up and once again I fought back, thanks to the car’s good turn of speed. I think the drivers in front of me were a little bit worried because I was so fast today. I had fun in the race and am very satisfied with the outcome.”