Season opener at Oschersleben: Gossip and facts from the paddock

• Opening weekend at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben produces three different winners from three different countries
• Juniors award ceremony with DTM star Ralf Schumacher
• Charge of the weekend: Gustav Malja spins but finishes on podium from rear of field

Oschersleben, 30th March to 1st April – Formel ADAC, currently in its fifth season, traditionally opens at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. During the weekend, 12,900 spectators watched three Formel races for juniors as part of the ADAC Masters Weekend. ADAC Sport President Hermann Tomczyk: “This weekend, we have been privileged to watch Formel ADAC youngsters, who will no doubt arouse a lot of attention in the course of their careers.”

High-profile visitor: Ex-Formula 1 driver and DTM star Ralf Schumacher was at the ADAC Masters Weekend in Oschersleben and awarded trophies to the top three finishers at the ceremony after the first round of the season. Schumacher: “It’s always interesting to observe the youngsters – it reminds me of my time in the junior series, but they have been schooled so well that they don’t need any tips from me!“

Varied podium: The three races at the Magdeburg circuit produced three different winners: Marvin Kirchhöfer (17, Leipzig, Lotus) won the first race on Saturday. Thomas Jäger (17, AUT, Neuhauser Racing) and Kuba Dalewski (17, POL, Lotus) emerged victorious in the two races on Sunday; eight different drivers in all secured the nine podium places available as only Dalewski came home twice in the top three.

International line-up: Three different national anthems were played for the three winners: German for Kirchhöfer, Austrian for Jäger and Polish for Dalewski. Kuba is the first Polish driver to secure a win in Formel ADAC history. Overall, drivers from eight countries participated in the opening weekend, and drivers representing six different nationalities finished on the podium.

Successful home race: Oschersleben-based Team Lotus enjoyed a successful home fixture at the season opener close to team headquarters. At least one Lotus driver secured a podium in each of the three races, and Lotus took the podium top spot twice with Kirchhöfer and Dalewski.

Best charges of the weekend: Each of the three races saw at least one spectacular charge as juniors battled through the field. In the first race, runner-up Jason Kremer (17, Bonn, Mücke Motorsport) gained seven positions in the race. In Race 2, Kuba Dalewski moved up ten places, from P13 to third. In the third and final race, Swedish junior, Gustav Malja (16, SWE, Mücke Motorsport) went up from last place to the podium after a spin.

Girl power: Beitske Visser (17, NL, Lotus) is the only female junior in Formel ADAC. The Dutch girl is not at all intimidated by her male colleagues: “I’m not one bit bothered – I’m used to it, ever since I started motor racing. I don’t see any difference out on the track, whether it’s a man or woman at the wheel.”

Piggy good luck charm: Nici Pohler (16, Starnberg, Team KUG Motorsport) had company in the cockpit at Oschersleben – a peluche pig, a gift from his girlfriend, was with him all the way. Pohler said: “Yes, it’s true, I share the cockpit with a pig. Luckily, it’s very light, so there’s no weight penalty!” On the grid, as Pohler prepares to gun the accelerator, he prods ‘piggy’, who doesn’t yet have a name: “Piggy grunts, and I’m happy. Pig power!”