First win for Tim Zimmermann in the Formel ADAC

• Maiden victory for Tim Zimmermann in the third race at the Slovakia Ring
• Three rookies on the podium – Zimmermann, Joel Eriksson and Dennis Marschall
• Mikkel Jensen continues to lead championship rankings despite not finishing

Slovakia Ring. Tim Zimmermann (17, Germany, Neuhauser Racing) secured victory in the third Formel ADAC race at the Slovakia Ring with a great overtaking manoeuvre on the final lap. The Neuhauser Racing driver consigned Joel Eriksson (16, Sweden, Lotus) to second place. Team-mate Dennis Marschall (17, Germany, Lotus) completed the party on the podium that was graced by no less than three rookies.

“What an incredibly wonderful feeling. My maiden victory in the Formel ADAC – I would never have expected it,” said ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Zimmermann, pleased with his first victory in single-seater racing. Prior to his win, the most successful of the eight newcomers to the series had achieved five podiums. Zimmermann is the third driver this season to win a race in his debut year in Formel ADAC after the two Lotus youngsters Eriksson and Marschall.

Championship leader Jensen retires prematurely

Zimmermann began the 15th race of the season from ninth position and had already improved to sixth place by the end of the first lap. On the second lap, pole-setter Kim Luis Schramm (17, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) was first overtaken by Eriksson and then Marschall. He dropped down to third position. There was a collision between Mikkel Jensen (19, Denmark, Neuhauser Racing) and Igor Walilko (16, Poland, JBR Motorsport & Engineering), who were also trying to overtake the Mücke Motorsport driver. The championship leader and the Polish series newcomer had to retire from the race after the incident.

Zimmermann gained from the chaotic situation as he slotted into third place. The accident brought out the safety car period for four laps. After the re-start, an exciting sprint duel then developed over the last three laps. Firstly, Zimmermann overtook Marschall on the approach to Turn two, moving into second position. On the final lap, the Neuhauser rookie pulled off a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre on Eriksson, who had been in the lead until that time, and drove to an unchallenged debut victory in the Formel ADAC.

Rookies dominate proceedings

Another rookie, Philip Hamprecht (17, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.), crossed the finish line in fourth place behind the top three. Driving for Mücke Motorsport, who compete under the aegis of the ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V., Hamprecht produced his best result to date in the ADAC high-speed academy. On the final lap, Hamprecht benefited from a contact between Schramm and Ralph Boschung (16, Switzerland, Lotus), as they battled for fourth position. As a result, Mücke driver Schramm had to relinquish P4 to team-mate Hamprecht. Swiss driver Boschung dropped down the field to twelfth position.

Maximilian Günther (17, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) finished seventh behind Luis Enrique Breuer (17, Germany, Lotus). The reigning vice-champion began the race from fifth position on the grid but ran wide during the starting phase, dropping back down to the rear of the field. Günther, currently placed second in the championship standings, clawed his way forwards on the ensuing laps to finish in the points, coming home ahead of JBR Racing & Motorsport rookie David Kolkmann (17, Germany, JBR Motorsport & Engineering) in eight position.

Jensen travels to Nürburgring as overall leader

Günther reduced his deficit in the overall standings by four points due to Jensen’s failure to finish. Now on 226 points, the Danish driver leads the championship standings in the run-up to the sixth race weekend of the season at the Nürburgring (29th to 31st August, 2014). After a tough weekend, Günther is in second place on 172 points. Jensen gained a total of 27 points on his title rival by achieving victory in the first race and second place in Race 2 at the Slovakia Ring.

Comments from the top three

Tim Zimmermann (17, Germany, Neuhauser Racing), Winner:
“What an incredibly wonderful feeling. My maiden victory in the Formel ADAC – I would never have expected it. I was resigned to having a tough race, starting from grid position nine. I first realised during the safety car period that today could be my day. I was in third place and knew that my car was very quick. My move on Dennis Marschall was great fun. I threw him a dummy by moving to the outside and he followed me. At the last moment, I the switched to the inside and went past him. When I finally overtook Joel Eriksson, I knew then that victory was more or less in the bag.”

Joel Eriksson (16, Sweden, Lotus), Second:
“This race really was tremendous fun, and second place was the reward for that. My start was very good and I was immediately able to overtake my team-mate Dennis Marshall. Not long after, I went past Kim Luis Schramm on the back straight and took the lead. Although the safety car came on track and my lead dwindled, I defended my position. Unfortunately, Tim Zimmermann caught up quickly. I tried to defend myself to the very last, but the Neuhauser team have been very strong this weekend. I was on the inside on Turn 3 and my wheels locked up, which allowed him to get past on the outside.”

Dennis Marschall (17, Germany, Lotus), Third:
“I’m delighted with this podium. It’ s a wonderful way to round off a very good weekend. However, I’m not altogether satisfied with my race, because I feel that I could have achieved so much more. Unfortunately, the setup on the car wasn’t perfect; I was struggling with understeer. All the same, though, jockeying for position was most enjoyable. When my team-mate Joel and I went into the lead, that was an example of perfect teamwork. We both wanted to secure the best result possible, and I’m grateful to him that everything went so smoothly. It was a close-run thing between me and Kim Luis Schramm in the battle for third place towards the end. That was a tough scrap which was a lot of fun.”