- Success for ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. in their home race, with two race wins and four podiums
- Rookie Maximilian Günther gets his name into the record books
- Aspiring youngsters from the ADAC Kart Masters acquire a taste for single-seater racing
Lausitzring: From Friday 30th August to Sunday 1st September, the Lausitzring hosted the sixth round of the 2013 Formel ADAC season. The ADAC GT Masters, which includes the Formel ADAC series as part of the support programme, attracted a total of 15,300 spectators through the gates at Germany’s most easterly motor racing circuit. The youngsters of the ADAC High-Speed Academy thrilled the crowds with three exciting races.
Taster day for karting talent: Most aspiring juniors earn their spurs in karting before being selected to contest the Formel ADAC championship. Organised by the world’s second-largest automobile club, the ADAC Kart Masters is a great launch pad for youngsters with ambitions of one day competing in single-seater racing. During the race weekend at Lausitzring, eight young talents from the ADAC Kart Masters were given the opportunity to sample their first Formel experience. They followed the drivers round as they prepared for the track, were given a guided tour of race control and chatted with the Formel ADAC team managers.
Pleasing the home fans: The ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. team could hardly have wished for a better outcome to their home race at the Lausitzring, coming away with two pole positions, two race wins, four podium appearances and two fastest race laps. Having now accumulated twelve victories and 26 Top Three finishes during the current campaign, the Berlin-based outfit are comfortably perched at the top of the team standings. Squad members Alessio Picariello and Maximilian Günther are battling it out for the drivers’ championship title in first and second place respectively.
Learning from a pro: Tom Dillmann is one of the most promising talents in motor racing. Since 2012, the French driver has been competing in the GP2 series which is generally regarded as the stepping stone to Formula 1. In addition, Dillmann works as a driving coach for Team Lotus. At the Lausitzring, the 24-year-old gave the youngsters in the squad of the reigning team champions a series of helpful tips. “If you have the chance to work with someone who drives in GP2, you need to take it,” said Red Bull Junior Callan O’Keeffe. “He analyses the onboard video and data with us. It’s always useful to see things from the perspective of a fast driver like Tom.”
One for the record books: ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Maximilian Günther won his first ever Formel ADAC race on Saturday at the age of 16 years, one month and 29 days. This makes him the third-youngest winner in the history of the competition. The absolute record, however, goes to Pascal Wehrlein who was just 15 years, six months and 21 days old when he picked up his trophy in the 2011 season. Willi Steindl is the second youngest race winner in the junior racing series: 15 years, eight months and 28 days. Perhaps significantly, both Wehrlein and Steindl were members of the ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg squad when they scored their precocious successes.
New face in the paddock: Welcome to the Formel ADAC series, Marcel Lenerz. The 16-year was making his series debut at the Lausitzring, driving a car entered by JBR Motorsport & Engineering. “It’s very different from karting,” said the youngster, evidently impressed. “Everything is bigger and faster. I really enjoyed these first three races in a formula car, and now I’m very much looking forward to the two remaining weekends at the Slovakia Ring and the Hockenheimring.” Lenerz arrives on the scene with highly respectable credentials: he currently leads the KZ2 class in the ADAC Kart Masters.
Cuddly toy in pole position: Since the start of the 2013 campaign, KUG Motorsport have been relying on pig power. Commencing with the season opener at Oschersleben, the team have taken their mascot to every race venue as a lucky charm for their driver duo of Stéphane Kox and Ralph Boschung. As of this weekend, the cuddly toy has been given its own fan page on Facebook. At www.facebook.com/pages/KUG-Lucky-Pig/211043479056685, fans can find out all about the speedy porcine and follow its exploits in the motor racing world.