First pole-setters of new ADAC Formula 4: Janneau Esmeijer and Marvin Dienst

• Janneau Esmeijer takes pole position on debut at Oschersleben
• Team-mate Marvin Dienst on pole for second race
• Esmeijer: "I’m totally overwhelmed."

Oschersleben. A best time that will go down in the annals of the sport – Holland’s Janneau Esmeijer (18, NED, HTP Junior Team) has become the first pole-setter in the new ADAC Formula 4. The HTP Junior Team youngster set the fastest time in qualifying for the first race at the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Due to the high number of starters – no fewer than 38 – qualifying was contested in two groups. Esmeijer in Group B took 1:26.440 minutes for his fastest lap. The 18-year-old out-qualified Australia’s Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing) who was setting his personal best of 1:26.705 minutes in Group A. The two will now start alongside each other on the front row.

Michael Waldherr (18, GER, Motopark) takes the third starting position in what counts as the home race for his Motopark team. The 18-year-old was second fastest in qualifying group B on a lap time of 1:26.867 minutes. Sharing the second row will be team-mate Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Junior Team) whose personal best time of 1:26.714 minutes put him second in Group A. Thus, both drivers in the HTP Junior Team squad have made it into the Top Four.

Ferrari Academy Driver Zhou Guan Yu best rookie

Estonia’s Ralf Aron (17, EST, Prema Powerteam) and Italy’s Mattia Drudi (16, ITA, SMG Swiss Motorsport Group) have booked the third row for the first of three races this weekend. Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark) and Zhou Guan Yu (15, ITA, Prema Powerteam) occupy the seventh and eighth slots. The Prema Powerteam youngster, who benefits from membership of the Ferrari Driver Academy, is the best-placed rookie out of all 38 entrants.

Mick Schumacher (16, GER, Van Amersfoort Racing), son of record world championship winner Michael Schumacher, emerged from his first qualifying session in Formula racing as tenth fastest in Group B and now starts from P19. The first race on Saturday will be contested at 12 midday.

Fans will have the opportunity to watch this inaugural race in the new ADAC Formula 4 series live on television. Exclusive TV partner SPORT1 will begin its coverage of Race 1 at Oschersleben on Saturday 25th April at 11.45am.

Pole Position for Marvin Dienst in Race 2

Deciding the starting positions for the second race are the second-best lap times in qualifying. Marvin Dienst came out on top in this regard and therefore starts the second round of the competition on Sunday morning (coverage from 9.30am live on SPORT1+) from pole position. His team-mate Jeanneau Esmeijer will occupy the second position on the grid. Joey Mawson and Ralf Aron share the second row.

This is how qualifying works in ADAC Formula 4

Due to the high number of starters, qualifying is held in two groups. The contestants in each group have 20 minutes to set their best lap time. The composition of the two groups depends on results from the first free practice session.

The starting grid for the first race is decided by the fastest lap times in qualifying. The driver with the best time starts from pole position. The fastest driver from the other group is allocated second place on the grid. All other cars then line up in alternating order behind the fastest driver in their particular qualifying group. Deciding the starting positions for the second race are the second-best lap times in qualifying.

The third race on Sunday afternoon takes the Top Ten from Race 1 and lines them up in reversed grid order, i.e. the race winner starts from P10 while the tenth-placed driver moves up to pole position. The starting positions for all the other cars are the same as the finishing positions from Race 1.

Janneau Esmeijer (18, NED, HTP Junior Team), Pole Race 1:

"I’m totally overwhelmed to have achieved the first pole position in the history of the ADAC Formula 4, and to have done so with a gap of four tenths over the second-placed driver in my group. When I saw my lap time, I was ecstatic. It’s such a huge starting field with so many good drivers, and it’s such an incredible feeling to be right at the front of the grid. Qualifying went just perfectly. In contrast to the free practice sessions, I had no traffic problems and was able to get the maximum out of myself and the car. Now I’m in the best starting position for the race, but even so, forecasting the result is difficult. I already have some experience of single-seater racing, and I like driving in wet conditions very much. But with the threat of rain, that could make the start very tricky."

Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Junior Team), Pole for Race 2:

"This pole position for the second race is a great way to start the new season. It has to be said, though, that I was counting on something better for the first race. The second qualifying group perhaps benefited from the better track conditions, but I don’t want to use that as an excuse. As for the race itself, I’m hoping for rain. I’ve proved on several occasions in the past that I’m very strong in the wet, and that can only help me get further up the field."