Tales from the paddock at the Sachsenring

• Wins for Hanses, Scherer and Drugovich
• All the signs set for a thrilling final fixture at Hockenheim

Penultimate race meeting of the ADAC Formula 4. Races 16, 17 and 18 were on the programme of the ADAC High-Speed Academy this weekend (15th - 17th September). Julian Hanses (20, Germany, US Racing), Fabio Scherer (18, Switzerland, US Racing) and Felipe Drugovich (17, Brazil, Van Amersfoort Racing) added their names to the list of winners.

Thriller: All the signs are set at the top of the table for a real thriller of a finale in the drivers’ classification at the Hockenheimring (22nd - 24th September), as only 1.5 points separate Marcus Armstrong (17, New Zealand, Prema Powerteam) from team-mate Juri Vips (17, Estonia). However, Felipe Drugovich (17, Brazil, Van Amersfoort Racing) has also just reaffirmed his claim to the title with a win in the third race – his fifth overall this season. He is just 21.5 points down on the front-runner.

History in the making, Part I: Felipe Drugovich, Artem Petrov (17, Russia), Frederik Vesti (15, Denmark) – this podium dominated exclusively by the colours of Dutch racing team Van Amersfoort Racing was a first for the ADAC Formula 4. Team manager Jeroen de Jong was delighted, as was guest entrant Petrov. This was the young Russian’s third start in the series and now his third team after previously trying his hand at Lechner Racing (Red Bull Ring) and DR Formula Racing (Nürburgring). “I intend to line up for Van Amersfoort again in the season finale at Hockenheim. This win is tremendous for the team and for the championship,” said the pole-sitter, who called the ADAC Formula 4 an “extremely challenging series“.

History in the making, Part II: The only female driver in this year’s ADAC Formula 4, Sophia Flörsch (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg eV), made history twice on Sunday. Not only did the speedy Bavarian achieve the best ranking of her career to date, she also became the first female to finish on the podium in all the three years of the ADAC Formula 4. She hopes to be just as quick again at the Hockenheimring.

Handshake: They met to say ‘hello’ and shake hands in the paddock at the Sachsenring, but the two former kart and current ADAC Sports Foundation protégés were there to compete in two different series. While ADAC TCR Germany newcomer Max Hesse (16, Germany, Aust Motorsport) celebrated his debut in the ADAC touring car series with P24 and P28, Formula 4 rookie Doureid Ghattas (15, Germany, Team Piro Interdental) notched up another win in the Rookie classification. Tom Beckhäuser (18, Czech Republic, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg eV) also took a trophy home as best rookie for the first time in his debut season.

Pundit: Jannes Fittje finished fourth overall in the 2016 ADAC Formula 4 but has now switched his allegiance to the Formula 3 paddock. He came to visit his former Formula 4 colleagues and to act as co-commentator/pundit for regular commentator, Swen Wauer. “The ADAC Formula 4 is the place to be and offers the right schooling, regardless of whether you stay in formula motor racing or move to GT or touring car sport,” said Fittje, stressing the importance of the German single-seater series for juniors. Now though, it will soon be time for the 18-year-old from nearby Waltershausen/Gotha to make his way from the Sachsenring to the European F3 Open and races in Monza, Jerez and Barcelona.

Well again: Laurin Heinrich (15, Germany, Team Laurin Heinrich) was already pronounced well again on Saturday evening. The 15-year-old was carefully checked out in hospital following a collision but was soon spotted, walking, not driving around the paddock on Sunday. He will be at the Hockenheimring as a mere spectator once again, because, whilst he may be well, his vehicle is definitely not, unfortunately.

Maths fan: David Malukas (15, USA, Motopark) has a hobby not shared by many. The young American, currently in his first year in the ADAC Formula 4, “loves maths”. “I’m taking an advanced course in mathematics,” said Malukas recently in an interview for Team Motopark. The 15-year-old placed tenth in the third race at the Sachsenring. He has finished in the points four times so far this season and is now concentrating on motor racing after already trying out many other sports, including cross-country running, wrestling, American football and jiu-jitsu.