Joel Eriksson takes lead in championship with second win

• Another win for Joel Eriksson in Race 2 in Austria
• Tim Zimmermann: Maiden podium for Neuhauser Racing at home fixture
• Eriksson: “The Red Bull Ring is now one of my favourite circuits.”

Spielberg. Second race, second win: Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark) dominated the action at the Red Bull Ring. After winning the first race on Saturday, the Motopark youngster also won the second ADAC Formula 4 race on Sunday, giving the Swedish teenager the lead in the overall standings. Tim Zimmermann (18, GER, Neuhauser Racing) in second place secured his first podium of the season in what constitutes a home race for his team, Neuhauser Racing. Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam), who is placed second in the standings, completed the party on the podium in third place.

“This result was also extremely important for the championship. I had to catch up, and now, I’ve not only managed that but have even overtaken all the others,” said Eriksson after his second win in the ADAC Formula 4. The Swede started from third place on the grid and benefited from the bad luck of pole-setter Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing). The Australian failed to get off the line and dropped a long way down the field. Zimmermann, who had initially started from second place on the grid, took the lead. After a safety car period that lasted into the second lap, triggered by the retirements of David Beckmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) and Job van Uitert (16, NED, Provily Racing), Zimmermann and Eriksson were involved in a thrilling battle for the lead. Eriksson finally won through, laying the foundations for his future victory.

Third podium for Dienst

Ralf Aron (17, EST, Prema Powerteam), who was in third place at the time, was handed a drive-through penalty after a collision with Beckmann earlier, and so lost his chances of a podium finish. Michael Waldherr (18, GER, Motopark) inherited his position initially. However, the Motopark driver had to admit defeat to his pursuer, Dienst after the re-start on Lap 13, following a second safety car period. The HTP Juniorteam driver held on to third place to finish on the podium for a third time after achieving two victories in the season opener at Oschersleben.
On Lap 14, Mattia Drudi (16, ITA, SMG Swiss Motorsport Group) also shot past Waldherr and took fourth position. The Italian, driving for SMG Swiss Motorsport Group swiftly improved by three positions, having started from tenth place on the grid and gained a total of six positions during the race. Guan Yu Zhou (16, CHN, Prema Powerteam) crossed the finish line in seventh place behind Waldherr and Janneau Esmeijer (18, NED, HTP Juniorteam). As a result, the Chinese driver again finished as the best-placed of all the 15 rookies in the starting field. Yu Zhou achieved his maiden podium in the first race on Saturday.

Both Neuhauser Racing drivers in Top Ten

The second Neuhauser driver, Kim Luis Schramm (17, GER, Neuhauser Racing), came home in eighth place to finish in the points for Tyrolean team Neuhauser Racing from Zell am Ziller. Jonathan Cecotto (15, VEN, Motopark) came home in the Top Ten for the first time this weekend after going on a charge, gaining eight positions in all. Mick Schumacher (16, GER, Van Amersfoort Racing) was awarded tenth place behind the son of former Formula 1 and DTM driver and motorcycle world champion Johnny Cecotto and thus also secured his first point in Austria.

Formula racing newcomer Schumacher retired on the 16th and final lap after a no fault collision. The race organisers then decided to red-flag the race before the end. After the race was stopped, the positions on the 15th lap were taken as the official race result according to the regulations. Schumacher was subsequently taken to hospital as a precaution. On examination, it was found that he had a simple fracture of the right hand, and so, will not participate in the third race.

Eriksson becomes new championship leader

Eriksson took over the lead overall with his double victory. On 74 points, the 17 year-old now heads the standings. Dienst is in second place with 73 points to Aron’s 63 points. Mawson is again in pole position in Sunday’s final race (live on SPORT1 at 17:00). Esmeijer will start the sixth race of the season from second place on the grid. Drudi and Beckmann share the second row.

Comments from the podium

Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark), Winner:

“The Red Bull Ring is now definitely one of my favourite tracks. I won here last year in the Formel ADAC. To return here and win is just phenomenal. However, the start of the race was tricky. A car stopped directly in front of me and in the first turn, I had to take evasive action to avoid a collision as well. The time was right after the first safety car period. I overtook Tim Zimmermann and went into the lead and kept it at the finish line. This result was also extremely important for the championship. I had to catch up, and now, I’ve not only managed that but have even overtaken all the others.”

Tim Zimmermann (18, GER, Neuhauser Racing), Second:

“Victories are always my goal, but this second place is extremely important. I got away off the line really well and immediately gained a lot of ground on my rivals. My car was quick and I could already picture the win, but the first safety car period didn’t go well for me, and I was overtaken shortly after the re-start. I tried to stay with Joel and draw away from the field with him. Unfortunately, I could not get close enough to launch an attack after the safety car came out for a second time.”

Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam), Third:

“I’m very pleased with this podium – especially after the race got so messed up on Saturday. It shows that I have to go on learning, despite my experience. It was very important for me here in Spielberg to continue the run of podiums that I started in Oschersleben. I managed to do that. Of course, I benefited from penalties and the safety car periods, but I was constantly on the attack and my car was really fast.”

Guan Yu Zhou (16, CHN, Prema Powerteam), best-placed rookie:

“I remained stationary at the start and was bumped well down the field. I had to fight my way back to the front from P20. I had moved up five places by the time the safety car came out and worked my way even further up the field to seventh place during the race. What’s also great is that I now lead the Rookie Championship.”