Season finale in Hockenheim – one for the history books

• Final three races in the annals of Formel ADAC
• Exciting three-way battle for championship runner-up spot
• Local driver Marvin Dienst: “My goal is definitely the runner’s-up title.”

Hockenheim. Motodrom, Parabolika, hairpin – simple words that make the hearts of all motor racing fans beat faster. There could be no backdrop more fitting for the final three races of the 2014 Formel ADAC season than the Hockenheimring; the grand finale of the ADAC high-speed academy traditionally takes place at the Formula 1 circuit in south-west Germany.

Next weekend (October 3rd-5th) has a very special significance, as spectators in Hockenheim will witness the last three races in the seven-year long success story that is Formel ADAC. The newly created ADAC Formula 4, the successor to the series that has produced talented drivers like Formula 1 test driver Pascal Wehrlein and GP2 driver Daniel Abt makes its debut in 2015.

At any rate, there will be plenty of motor racing excitement. The new champion, Mikkel Jensen (19, Denmark, Neuhauser Racing) was crowned during the last race weekend at the Sachsenring, but a gripping three-way battle for the vice-championship is taking place behind the young Dane. And right in the thick of it is local driver Marvin Dienst (17, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.), who is ranked fourth in the overall standings on 191 points. He has a deficit of 39 points on team-mate Maximilian Günther (17, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) in second place.

Local driver Dienst has runner’s-up title in his sights

Dienst: “Second place in the championship is definitely the goal. 65 points are still up for grabs, and I want to bag them all. I will perhaps be a little bit more tense than usual that weekend. Many of my friends and partners will be there, so of course, I want to show them what I can do.” Dienst travels to his home race with fond memories of last season. The 17-year-old finished on the podium at last year’s season finale.

The Hockenheimring is one of his favourite circuits on the race calendar. Dienst: “Hockenheim is a very demanding track, and it’s important to get the best possible exit from the turns, so as to have as much forward momentum as possible along the ensuing straights. Slipstreaming provides some good overtaking opportunities on the way down into the Parabolica, and the Motodrom is a real white-knuckle corner – driving along this passage in front of the audience is a lot of fun.”

Günther too would like to demonstrate his talent at the Hockenheimring and defend his runner’s-up crown. “Of course, it will be at the back of my mind, but we’ll do our thing and see what comes of it. I’ll continue to work on each race as it comes and try to get the best result,” said the ADAC Sports Foundation protégé. He secured double pole at last year’s Hockenheim race weekend and a podium finish.

Champion Jensen: I intend to mount another all-out offensive

Before the season started, Günther had set himself the goal of lifting the title but was ultimately defeated by Neuhauser Racing driver Jensen. The 19-year-old Dane positively flourished in his second season in the Formel ADAC, achieving nine wins and 14 podium finishes on his way to the title. “It was a burden that has now fallen from my shoulders,” said Jensen after winning the title. “The season is not over yet. I wanted to win the title with the greatest possible lead, so I intend to mount another all-out offensive in Hockenheim. I’ve never won three races in one weekend – maybe I can pull it off in the season finale.”

Neuhauser Racing on the verge of winning team title

Further victories should also help his team to win the team classification. In the standings, Neuhauser Racing has a lead of 90 points on Mücke Motorsport, who compete under the aegis of ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. After previously coming second three times, the Austrian team’s maiden title win is now within reach.

Neuhauser Racing have another ace up their sleeve with Tim Zimmermann (18, Germany, Neuhauser Racing). The most successful series newcomer is Günther’s immediate rival in the battle for the position of runner-up. “I take each race as it comes, but second place is my goal. We’ll see who is really fast at Hockenheim,” said Zimmermann, who is in third place on 194 points. The ADAC Sports Foundation protégé has a deficit of 36 points on second place.

Zimmermann will be contesting a race in a single-seater car at the Hockenheimring for the first time in the finale but has already had a chance to familiarise himself with the 4.574 kilometre circuit during test runs. “There are many corners where minor details make a difference and where you can lose quite a bit of time,” said the 18-year-old. “I think that the hairpin after the Parabolika is cool – you hit the brakes late at that point, and there are some excellent overtaking opportunities.”