Tales from the Oschersleben paddock

• Championship runner-up Maximilian Günther breaks qualifying record
• Big TV documentary about Marvin Dienst
• World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier presents prizes to winners

Oschersleben – The seventh Formel ADAC season got under way from 25th to 27th April in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Over 10,000 spectators were at the ADAC GT Masters weekend to watch the three races run under the aegis of ADAC’s high-speed academy.

Big TV documentary: Millions of households will soon get a good insight into the world of Formel ADAC. On Sunday, May 4th, RTL’s flagship programme ‘Spiegel TV Magazin’ will carry a report on Marvin Dienst, beginning at 10:35 pm. The piece is called ‘Foot down hard on the throttle with 17-year-old junior racer Marvin Dienst’. A TV crew followed the 17-year-old around in recent weeks – at the race track, at home and when exercising. Dienst: “It was quite an unusual situation, something you don’t get to experience every day. However, it was a very interesting project and I really enjoyed standing in front of the camera.”

Girl Power: There is a great tradition of female drivers taking part in Formel ADAC. Another talented young lady – Corinna Kamper – is lining up this year in the ADAC junior series for open-wheel racing cars. The Austrian teenager has already had some experience of formula racing and drove for HS Engineering in Oschersleben. Kamper is not intimidated by male competition: “I’ve been used to racing against guys for years.” The 19-year-old is extremely versatile: Apart from racing, she studies physical education and English, works as a model and is a TV presenter.

World-class ceremony: Formel ADAC was pleased to welcome a VIP guest at the opening weekend in Oschersleben: World rally champion and Volkswagen works driver Sébastien Ogier was at the track to watch the trainees compete in the 145-bhp Formel ADAC racing cars powered by Volkswagen. After the second event, the young aspiring ‘students’ in the ADAC high-speed academy were honoured in world-class fashion: Ogier presented the prizes at the award ceremony along with ADAC Sports President Hermann Tomczyk and ADAC consultant for cars Jürgen Fabry.

Best wishes from the champion: A good friend was to be found in the Formel ADAC paddock at the Oschersleben season opener– reigning titleholder Alessio Picariello. The most successful driver in Formel ADAC history is working this year as a driver coach for Berlin-based team Mücke Motorsport, who compete under the aegis of the ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. “I’m pleased that I can help the guys with my experience,” said the 14-time race winner.

One for the history books: After his pole position at Oschersleben, Maximilian Günther is now the most successful driver in qualifying in Formel ADAC history. Taking both seasons into account, the reigning vice-champion has started from pole position in nine races. Before Oschersleben, he shared a place forever inscribed in the record books with the two former Formel ADAC champions Daniel Abt (2009) and Pascal Wehrlein (2011) who each achieved eight poles.

Champion supports brother: The name Eriksson is not unknown at Lotus. Swedish driver Jimmy Eriksson secured the championship in the ATS Formula 3 Cup with the team in the 2012 season. Now his brother Joel is turning up the heat in Formel ADAC. The choice of team was quickly made: Even as a little boy, Joel used to look on in amazement in the pits, as his big brother fought for the title at Lotus. Jimmy now drives in GP3, but when his schedule allows, will support his younger brother and also travel to Formel ADAC races – including the opening weekend. “He knows the tracks, gives me lots of advice on the choice of line and helps me with a trick or two,” said Joel. And with some success: Eriksson junior achieved three top-ten finishes in Oschersleben.

Thinking of Schumacher: Lovely gesture by Swiss driver Giorgio Maggi: This weekend, the youngest driver on the grid took to the track with the logo ‘#KeepFightingMichael’ that is familiar from Formula 1 emblazoned on his Formel ADAC racing car. “Michael Schumacher is my role model and I hope he makes a good recovery,” said Maggi, regarding the seven-time world champion, who severely injured himself in a skiing accident late last year.