Tales from the Hockenheimring paddock

• ADAC Formula 4 drivers find Formula 1 most inspiring
• Toto Wolff presents winners’ trophies
• Sebastian Vettel & Co pay juniors a call

Hockenheim: The first ADAC Formula 4 race weekend under the banner of Formula 1 has come to an end for the junior drivers, who had two exciting races against the backdrop of the pinnacle of motorsport. Lirim Zendeli secured one win – his seventh of the season – and one third place, enabling him to extend his lead in the overall standings.

It was the ADAC Formula 4’s first time acting as a support series to Formula 1. Four-time world champion and ADAC Formula 4 patron Sebastian Vettel took time out to meet the juniors, joining seven of them for lunch. Mercedes-AMG Head of Motorsport Toto Wolff presented the winners’ trophies at the award ceremony. Racing will continue for the young trainees in two weeks’ time, 3rd - 5th August, when races 15, 16 and 17 out of 20 will be on the programme at the Nürburgring.

Joining world champion for lunch: There was a real treat in store for seven ADAC Formula 4 drivers before they had even posted their first kilometres in practice at the Hockenheimring, as they had lunch with four-time world champion and ADAC Formula 4 patron Sebastian Vettel. Enzo Fittipaldi, Lirim Zendeli, David Schumacher, Joey Alders, Liam Lawson, Niklas Krütten and Gianluca Petecof really enjoyed their luncheon date with Ferrari star, Vettel, who answered their questions while giving them plenty of tips and advice.

Celebs on the podium: Mercedes-AMG Head of Motorsport Toto Wolff was delighted to join ADAC Sports President Hermann Tomczyk in presenting the winners’ trophies for the first ADAC Formula 4 race. Frederik Vesti and Lirim Zendeli got their trophies from Wolff while Tomczyk handed Liam Lawson and rookie David Schumacher their cups. “I only know Toto from television, and yet, he shook my hand just now. Awesome!” said Zendeli.

Visiting the paddock: 2004 Formula BMW ADAC Champion Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez, who also used to race in the junior ADAC series, called to see Team ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. The two Formula 1 stars spoke with people they had previously been involved with, took photos and chatted with them. Lando Norris, who contested the 2005 ADAC Formula 4 as a guest entrant and now races in Formula 2, was also there. Max Verstappen can really draw in the crowds and is a firm favourite with Dutch fans. He received a visit from Dutch outfit, Van Amersfoort Racing.

Like father, like son: Ralf Schumacher contested 180 Formula 1 races, taking six wins and six pole positions. His son, David, is in his first year in formula racing and is part way through his rookie season in the ADAC Formula 4. Everyone wanted to chat with the pair of them, as you might expect. Father and son talked at length with RTL reporter Kai Ebel about the ADAC Formula 4 season, about Formula 4 in general and about their future plans.

Premier class: “Incredible, awesome, unique” – the ADAC Formula 4 drivers all thought that the weekend spent racing as support to Formula 1 had been a very special and unique experience. “It makes you think again about your goals,” said championship leader Lirim Zendeli, to quote just one of the juniors. David Schumacher, son of former Formula 1 and DTM driver Ralf Schumacher, was also impressed. “It’s been just mega,” he told us.

Paddock club: The ADAC Formula 4 juniors had a good look around F1’s paddock club on Friday and Saturday, visiting Van Amersfoort Racing on Friday and US Racing CHRS on Saturday. Fans from the Formula 1 paddock club were really impressed with the professional way, in which the ADAC junior series operates.

Mr Hockenheim: Of course, there’s no such title in the ADAC Formula 4, but Lirim Zendeli proved once again that the Hockenheimring really suits him. On his outing there in early May during the DTM weekend, Zendeli secured two wins and one third place. He notched up a further success and another third place this Saturday and Sunday. Five races, five podiums – the statistics speak for themselves. The season finale (21st - 23rd September) will also be held at Hockenheim which is where Zendeli intends to rack up even more successes.

Late birthday present: Enzo Fittipaldi was 17 this Wednesday in the run-up to the race weekend, and the grandson of two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi gave himself a fitting present with a podium for third place in the second race on Sunday, scoring vital championship points. “That was terrific – a mega race against an amazing backdrop,” he said.

Getting well prepared: It’s a well-known fact that racing drivers have to be physically fit. However, Danish driver Frederik Vesti prepared for his Formula 1 race weekend in a very special way by taking part in a mini-triathlon and achieving top-class results. Vesti managed to cross the finish line after running six kilometres, riding 30 kilometres on a bike and swimming one kilometre. His dedication paid off, as he secured his first win of the season on Saturday.

Timetable: After the stand-out event at the Hockenheimring, the ADAC Formula 4 will be heading next to the Nürburgring in just two weeks’ time (3rd - 5th August) to contest races 15, 16 and 17. The final round will also be held at Hockenheim (21st - 23rd September). The ADAC Formula 4 will be back racing alongside the ADAC GT Masters as usual for the two final race weekends of the season.