Tales from the paddock at Oschersleben

• FIA training for ADAC Formula 4 drivers
• DTM champions call on the young talents
• Superb setting: More than 20,000 spectators at Oschersleben seasonopener

The ADAC Formula 4 successfully got its second season under way this from 15th-17th April. The first winners of the season were determined at the weekend in the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Joey Mawson from Australia, who finished third overall in last year’s championship, entered his name in the record books twice. Mick Schumacher, son of record Formula 1 championship winner Michael Schumacher repeated last year’s victory in the third and final round. More than 20,000 spectators watched the races of the ADAC High-Speed academy at Oschersleben. SPORT1 and SPORT1+ broadcast all races live on TV.

Successful pilot project: The FIA Automobile Federation gave 34 ADAC Formula 4 drivers a one-day training course before the start of the season, setting out in detail rules and regulations concerning a number of areas, from interpreting the meaning of flags at race meetings to anti-doping policies. The ADAC had already previously developed an off-track training programme last year to give the young talents an insight into the work of race organisers and TV production crews. “There’s such a lot to learn, and it’s great that we’re acquiring knowledge off track as well,” said ADAC Formula 4 driver Jonathan Aberdein.

On the podium: Bruno Spengler, Martin Tomczyk and Klaus Ludwig stood on the podium on Saturday. The three former DTM champions presented winner Joey Mawson and the other podium finishers, Kim Luis Schramm and Jannes Fittje, with their trophies after the first ADAC Formula 4 race on Saturday. Spengler was also in action in Oschersleben as driver coach for Team US Racing from Kerpen. Tomczyk raced as a guest driver in the ADAC GT Masters, sharing the cockpit of the BMW M6 with BMW Motorsport junior Jesse Krohn. Former Mercedes-Benz Head of Motorsport Norbert Haug was also in Oschersleben to follow the young talents as they raced.

Guests from Abu Dhabi: The organisers of the Formula 4 series in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) attended the race meeting at Oschersleben to gather information about the ADAC Formula 4 series. The Formula 4 UAE championship is to be staged under the aegis of the FIA and will kick off towards the end of October 2016. 18 races over six race weekends will be contested at the Dubai Autodrome grand prix circuit (5.39 km) as well as at the Yas Marina grand prix circuit (5.55 km). The last race of the series will be held in March 2017.

Girl power: Sophia Flörsch (15, DEU, Motopark) finished in the Top Ten twice at Oschersleben. The ADAC Sports Foundation protégée had even been in the lead for a time in the third race, becoming the first female driver in the history of the junior formula racing series to ever take P1. A place on the podium seemed possible for quite a long time, but she had to let the two Lechner drivers, Thomas Preining and Michael Waldherr, overtake after a contact with Job van Uitert (17, NED, Jenzer Motorsport). After placing ninth in the first race and fifth in the third race, Sophia Flörsch ended the first race weekend in eighth position overall and was the best-placed female driver.

Group portrait with ladies: The male and female ADAC Formula 4 drivers met for the traditional group photo on Saturday morning. The group portrait was taken with ADAC Sports President Hermann Tomczyk and ADAC Director of Motorsport and Classic Motoring Lars Soutschka in front of ADAC Hospitality in the paddock.

Terrific setting – warm response: More than 20,000 motorsport fans came through the gates at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben near Magdeburg over the weekend, packing the stands for the ADAC GT Masters, the ADAC Formula 4 and the long-awaited premiere of the ADAC TCR Germany. Large crowds of fans were drawn to the paddocks where teams and drivers patiently answered their questions and made themselves available for photos. The media also responded warmly to the first race weekend of 2016. Some 220 accredited media representatives from home and abroad reported on the first races of the ADAC GT Masters, the ADAC Formula 4 and ADAC TCR Germany. SPORT1 and SPORT1+ ensured full media coverage from Friday to Sunday, broadcasting races on TV and as live streaming on the internet.