- Rookies Aberdein and Drugovich also on podium
- Schumacher keeps title hopes alive
- Drivers master the wet conditions on the North Sea coast
Zandvoort: Kami Laliberté (16, Canada, Van Amersfoort Racing) claimed victory in the third of three ADAC Formula 4 races at Zandvoort. In what constituted a home fixture for the Van Amersfoort Racing team, the Canadian, coped best with the adverse conditions to secure his maiden win from third on the grid. "It feels very good, and I'm obviously very happy," said Laliberté after the podium ceremony. "This is a special win for Van Amersfoort; after all, it's our home race." The Canadian was joined on the podium on this rainy morning in the Netherlands by the two rookies, Jonathan Aberdein (18, South Africa, Motopark) and Felipe Drugovich (16, Brazil, Neuhauser Racing). The race ended prematurely under the red flag after two multiple pile-ups in the tricky conditions and was not restarted. Half points only were awarded for Race 21, since less than 75 percent of the scheduled race distance had been covered.
Rookie Juan Manuel Correa (17, USA/Ecuador, Prema Powerteam) was fourth and Kim Luis Schramm (19, Germany, US Racing) fifth. Title contender Mick Schumacher (17, Germany, Prema Powerteam) crossed the line in sixth place and again took points off his rival for the title, Joey Mawson (20, Australia, Van Amersfoort Racing), who finished eighth. Rookie Lirim Zendeli (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) was seventh. Juri Vips (16, Estonia, Prema Powerteam) placed ninth, followed by Thomas Preining (18, Austria, Lechner Racing) to round off the Top Ten.
Battle for the championship to be decided at Hockenheim
The race started behind the safety car due to the wet track. When it began in earnest, it quickly developed into an exciting contest with plenty of overtaking. Mawson, who had started from twelfth place, staged an impressive charge through the field, but 13 minutes from the end of the race, he spun his car round. That and another collision between several drivers at Hugenholzbocht within the same lap led to the race being halted.
On the last race weekend of the ADAC High Speed Academy at the Hockenheimring (30th September - 2nd October), Schumacher has one last chance to seize the championship initiative. Following the three Zandvoort races, the son of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher has a 39-point deficit on leader Mawson. Mike David Ortmann (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) is now out of the reckoning: the ADAC Sports Foundation protégé is 101 points adrift of Mawson.
Further comments on the ADAC Formula 4 race:
Kami Laliberté (Winner, Van Amersfoort Racing): "I did my job well today - I was fast and focused. Obviously, I'm now hoping for further race wins and successes. I can learn a lot from Joey Mawson - he's a super driver and a good friend. He gives me plenty of tips and advice."
Jonathan Aberdein (Second in general classification and best rookie, Motopark): "I'm satisfied but a bit disappointed that the race was so short. But at the end of the day, it's a good result, and that's what really matters."
Felipe Drugovich (Third, Neuhauser Racing): "I think the weekend was good. I'm satisfied with the third race, even though it was really short. I'm always trying to improve my performance. I've learnt a lot in my rookie year, and I intend to carry on learning."