Match point for Théo Pourchaire at Hockenheim

• French teenager could clinch title on penultimate race weekend
• ADAC Formula 4 returns to the Hockenheimring, having already shared the billing with Formula 1 there earlier in the campaign
• Pourchaire goes into the weekend with a “good feeling”

Munich: There is a realistic chance that the ADAC Formula 4 championship could be decided as early as this coming weekend (13th - 15th September) at Hockenheim. Current championship leader Théo Pourchaire (16, France, US Racing CHRS) could wrap it all up at the penultimate race event, but the competition is far from over. Get ready for the sixth round of the 2019 ADAC Formula 4, which will, as usual, be shown live on TV by SPORT1. Alternatively, the races can be watched online via the livestream services of adac.de/motorsport, youtube.com/adac and on the ADAC Formula 4 Facebook page.

“It is extra motivation knowing that I can become champion this weekend,” says Pourchaire, who is 53 points ahead of his closest pursuer, Arthur Leclerc (18, Monaco, US Racing CHRS) after five race weekends. “I can read the table and of course do the arithmetic, but there are still two race weekends to go. I’m not going to put myself under any additional pressure. I have plenty of time, as there are three more races to come at the Sachsenring. My aim is to deliver as much as possible this weekend.”

The calculation is simple: as the maximum points score for any driver on a weekend is 75 (25 per win), Pourchaire has to increase his lead to that figure to be sure of succeeding last year’s champion, Lirim Zendeli (19, Bochum, US Racing CHRS). So, it is achievable, but Pourchaire does not want to bother himself with such mind games.

“I have very fond memories of Hockenheim, and it’s a great feeling to be returning after we shared the billing with Formula 1 here in July,” says the 16-year-old, who finished second and third on that occasion. “That was a very good weekend for me – I booked my first ADAC Formula 4 pole position and also got onto the podium twice. I’m obviously hoping to win the races, and I’m confident and optimistic about the weekend.”

But the pursuing bunch also fancy their chances, especially Arthur Leclerc, the younger brother of Formula 1 shooting star Charles Leclerc. The 18-year-old chalked up a maiden victory in the series on the first Hockenheim weekend against the massive backdrop of Formula 1. He followed that up with a P2 at Zandvoort and a P3 at the Nürburgring: “For me, the main thing is to drive as faultlessly as possible. I want to get through the races without a hitch and to repay the good work of the team. Then we’ll see where the journey is taking us.”

US Racing CHRS have been generally dominant this season. The team, which claimed all three titles (drivers’, Best Rookie and team) last year, is once again way out ahead in 2019. Roman Stanek (15, Czech Republic) and Alessandro Ghiretti (17, France), who are currently third and fourth respectively, also drive for the Kerpen-based outfit owned and managed by Ralf Schumacher and Gerhard Ungar. In fifth place is Red Bull junior Dennis Hauger (16, Norway), who drives for Van Amersfoort Racing. “Unfortunately, I’ve had some bad luck here and there this season and some bad results as a consequence,” says the Norwegian, who is 68 points behind Théo Pourchaire. “Théo is already a long way ahead, but I have nothing left to lose. So now I’m going to take each race as it comes.”

Pourchaire has won three races so far, but his main asset is consistency. It was only in the fourth race of the season at the Red Bull Ring that he finished outside the points; with that one exception, he has steadily increased his points tally. “I am usually quite good at sizing up risks and have a good eye for the situation,” explains Pourchaire. “But here and there, I’ve also had some luck. Anyway, the outcome of the championship is far from decided.”

All of the above also applies to the team standings and the Best Rookie classification. US Racing CHRS (383 points) currently lead Van Amersfoort Racing (315) and Prema Powerteam (260). Meanwhile, in the rookie competition, Roman Stanek (296 points) leads Paul Aron (15, Estonia, Prema Powerteam) who is on 229 points. These two championships could also theoretically be settled early on the penultimate race weekend.