Round three: The ADAC Formula 4 at the Motorsport Festival Lausitzring

• Front-runner Mawson looking to repeat previous good performance
• ADAC Formula 4 will be staged alongside ADAC GT Masters and the DTM
• Local driver, Ortmann, hungry for more podiums

Munich: The ADAC Formula 4 is gearing up for Round 3 of the 2016 season, sharing the billing at the Motorsport Festival Lausitzring with the ADAC GT Masters and the DTM (3rd - 5th June) at what will be one of the highlights of the season. "I'm really looking forward to the races at the Lausitzring," said ADAC Sports Foundation protégée Sophia Flörsch (15, Germany, Motopark). Germany's biggest sports channel SPORT1 will broadcast two of the three races live, while Race 3 will feature as a recording on SPORT1+. All races will also be available as live streams at www.adac.de/formel-4 and www.SPORT1.de.

38 drivers in all will face the challenge of the Lausitzring this year. "The track is fun and has many turns which are completely different. Fast corners, slow corners, chicanes – this circuit is completely different to the Sachsenring. You can definitely overtake more often and in more places," said Flörsch, who is currently placed tenth overall in the standings with 21 points.

Joey Mawson (20, Australia, Van Amersfoort Racing) is on 126 points and heads the overall rankings as he travels to the Lausitzring, having won three of six races so far this season. Moreover, he has some fond memories of the track. In 2015, Mawson finished on the podium three times at this venue, taking one win and two second places. "It's always a fantastic experience to line up alongside the DTM and in front of such a large crowd as at the Lausitzring," said Mawson. "My goal is to finish on the podium in all three races and secure points towards the championship. Winning one or two races would, of course, put the icing on the cake."

Local rider Mike David Ortmann (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg eV), currently third overall on 71 points, will also be a force to be reckoned with. He finished second in last year's Rookie standings and comes to his self-proclaimed favourite track with a lot of confidence, having recently clinched two victories at the Sachsenring. "The race weekend at the Lausitzring is the highlight of my season. It is, of course, my home race, so I aim to show what I can do. We have invited loads of sponsors and fans to come along," said Ortmann. Team principal Peter Mücke is also confident about this home race for Berlin-based Mücke Motorsport, who line up under the aegis of the ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg: "Mike showed how it's done at the Sachsenring. He did everything right and impressively demonstrated what immense mental strength he has built up over the winter."

Having secured 91 points and a win in the Oschersleben season-opener, Mick Schumacher (17, Germany, Prema Powerteam) is currently in second place overall and is hungry for more podiums, just like the drivers from US Racing, the team led by Gerhard Ungar and ex-Formula 1 and DTM driver Ralf Schumacher. ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Jannes Fittje (16, Germany) and Kim-Luis Schramm (18, Germany) want to build on their good performances to date and finish on the top rung of the podium for the first time this season. In the overall standings, Schramm is fourth on 69 points, and Fittje fifth with 53.

Nicklas Nielsen (19, DK, Neuhauser Racing) is hot on their heels in sixth place with 38 points. The Dane currently holds the top position in the rookie classification of the ADAC Formula 4 with 129 points. Juan Manuel Correa (16, USA/Ecuador, Prema Powerteam) is next with 89 points, and Felipe Drugovich (16, Brazil, Neuhauser Racing) third with 72 points.

Mauricio Baiz (17, Venezuela, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), who is currently ranked third in the Italian Formula 4 Series, and Diego Ciantini (17, Argentina, Jenzer Motorsport) will be making their maiden ADAC Formula 4 outings of the season at the 3.442-km circuit near Klettwitz.

Timo Scheider can expect a particularly exciting weekend. The two-time champion will be challenging for vital points in his Audi in the DTM races on Saturday and Sunday, while at the same time, young guns Julian Hanses (18, Germany), Mauro Auricchio (18, Brazil) and Kenneth Gulbrandsen (19, Norway) will be driving in the ADAC Formula 4 under the banner of Team Timo Scheider.

The ADAC High Speed Academy is staging six race weekends during the 2016 season in association with the ADAC GT Masters, plus one as a support series to the combined ADAC GT Masters and the DTM at the Lausitzring and one in the context of the TCR International Series at Oschersleben. Broadcasting partner SPORT1 is showing the races live on its free-to-air TV channel as well as online and on mobile devices.

ADAC Formula 4 has extended deals with other established partners into the 2016 season. The turbocharged engine for the Formula 4 racing car is supplied by Abarth, while the chassis comes from Italian manufacturer Tatuus. The Italian premium tyre manufacturer Pirelli – well known from Formula 1 – and wheel rim manufacturer Motec also contribute to the build of the ADAC Formula 4 cars. Two other series partners are suspension specialist Eibach and DEKRA, one of the world’s leading vehicle inspection companies. Auto Zeitung continues to be the official media partner.

ADAC Formula 4 on TV

04/06/2016 11:45 Race 1 LIVE on SPORT1
04/06/2016 11:50 Race 1 LIVE on SPORT1+
04/06/2016 11:55 Race 1 Live on SPORT1.de
04/06/2016 17:30 Race 2 LIVE on SPORT1
04/06/2016 17:40 Race 2 LIVE on SPORT1.de
05/06/2016 17.55 Race 3 LIVE on SPORT1.de
05/06/2016 19:20 Race 3 RECORDING on SPORT1+