- Alessio Picariello wins two of three races in the season-opener
- Beitske Visser meets Formula 1 star Mark Webber
- Stéphane Kox follows in footsteps of famous father
Oschersleben – The sixth Formel ADAC season got under way from 26th to 28th April in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. 14,500 spectators were at the ADAC GT Masters weekend to watch the three races run under the aegis of ADAC’s high-speed academy.
Star of the weekend: Alessio Picariello experienced a brilliant start to the season that could hardly be bettered: The Belgian driver converted his two pole positions into victories and finished the third race in fourth place. He travels to the second Formel ADAC race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps as championship leader with 57 points in the bag; Picariello achieved two wins in the junior series last season, his debut year. The dream start in the Vale of Magdeburg might yet prove a good omen for the Mücke driver, since in the past two years the winner of the season’s first race has gone on to win the championship.
‘Pikachu’ like grease lightning: Alessio Picariello was the dominant force at the season-opener in Oschersleben. Aided by ‘Pikachu’ mascot: A sticker of the famous Pokémon character adorns his Formel ADAC racing car, and the number of stickers keeps growing: For every victory, the Belgian adds another yellow sticker. “We made a start on the left of the front apron and we’re continuing along the right. There’s still enough room on the nose of my car, but I don’t mind if I run out of space by the end of the season,” said the Oschersleben double winner with a chuckle.
Experience wins through: The 2013 Formel ADAC line-up is very diverse. The junior series welcomed 13 newcomers this year. Those rookies are up against eight drivers, who are already in their second year, and it was the experienced drivers who won through at Oschersleben; Alessio Picariello took victory in the first two races, Indy Dontje in the third. Drivers, who had competed during 2012, achieved seven out of a possible nine podium finishes. From the group of rookies, Maximilian Günther and Marvin Dienst were the first ones to stand out with their podium finishes.
A podium for the history books: Maximilian Günther is one of 13 rookies contesting the 2013 Formel ADAC season. In the second race in Oschersleben, the ADAC Sports Foundation protégé entered the history books: Günther finished third on the podium, and at the age of 15 years, 9 months and 26 days is the fifth youngest driver to have accomplished that feat in the annals of the junior series. ADAC Sports foundation protégé Pascal Wehrlein was the youngest driver ever to claim a podium. The 2011 Formel ADAC Champion achieved a podium finish aged 15 years, 5 months and 23 days. Next weekend will see Wehrlein set another record as the youngest driver of all time in the history of the DTM at the age of just 18 years and 180 days.
Red Bull junior meets Red Bull star: Beitske Visser’s dream came true when she was asked to join the Red Bull junior team. But that’s not the end of it: During the run-up to the season-opener at Oschersleben, the Lotus driver met a superstar during an Austrian TV show: Formula 1 driver Mark Webber. “It was really great to meet Mark,” said Visser with a smile. The TV appearance was followed by dinner and the passing on of one or two motor racing tips.
Kox come-back in paddock: A well-known name – (Stéphane) Kox – joins the Formel ADAC. The 19-year-old is the daughter of 2010 ADAC GT Masters champion, Peter Kox, and is starting her first season in the junior series. “I always used to travel with my father as a spectator to ADAC GT Masters races,” the KUG Motorsport driver said. “Now I’m a racing driver too, it’s a completely different world – but it’s even more fun. He gives me quite a lot of tips and is very supportive, but I want to follow my own path in motor racing. “
Greetings from Champion Marvin Kirchhöfer: The reigning Formel ADAC champion is still in the paddock. The Lotus driver has taken the next step on the career ladder, moving up to the ATS Formula 3 Cup this year. And with some success, immediately winning two races at Oschersleben. He travels to Spa-Francorchamps as championship leader. Kirchhöfer watches his former colleagues closely. “I watch all the Formel ADAC races if possible,” said the ADAC Junior Racer of the Year. “That’s where I learned the basics of single-seater racing and, of course, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for my former team-mates!”