Young talents encounter tradition: Formula racing stars of tomorrow in Spa-Francorchamps

• Third race weekend for ADAC High-Speed Academy in Belgium
• Mick Schumacher und Harrison Newey back in line-up
• SPORT1 will broadcast all three races live on free-to-air TV

Spa-Francorchamps. ADAC Formula 4 are still on tour abroad. After the foreign leg in Austria, the ADAC High-Speed Academy is now heading for Belgium. The young talents will contest the third race weekend of the 2015 inaugural season from 19th to 21st June at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The track has been the venue for 47 Formula 1 races since 1950 and is one of the most popular racetracks in the world with drivers and fans.

The close fight for the championship enters the next round with races seven, eight and nine. Joel Eriksson (17, SWE, Motopark) leads the overall standings after his two wins at the Red Bull Ring. The Swede is on top with 74 points. His closest rival Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam) is just one point behind. This will be Eriksson’s first single-seater race on what is the longest circuit on the racing calendar at 7.004 km. “We saw in testing that Spa should suit us,” said the Motopark youngster. “Driving around the track for the first time was like a dream come true. I was really excited. It’s fantastic to be contesting the three races there this weekend.”

Exciting slipstreaming battles expected

Championship rival Dienst already knows what racing on the Ardennes rollercoaster is like. The 18-year-old lined up at Spa-Francorchamps in 2013 with the predecessor series to the ADAC Formula 4, the Formel ADAC. “The track is really fast,” said Dienst. “The races will certainly be exciting. I’m getting geared up for some slipstream battles and plenty of overtaking manoeuvres. “

The HTP Juniorteam driver had to relinquish the overall lead to Eriksson in Austria but intends to turn the tide in Spa-Francorchamps. “Of course, I’ll do my best to retake the top spot,” said Dienst. “The weather could cause additional stress, though. Spa is unpredictable. It can suddenly pour with rain. That would be OK, because wet conditions suit me.”

Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing) would also like to launch an attack on championship leader Eriksson. The Australian is placed third in the overall standings with 64 points. Mawson has the wind behind him for the second foreign fixture of the year after his debut victory in the ADAC Formula 4 at Spielberg. “Spa-Francorchamps is one of the greatest circuits in the world – a win at this legendary circuit would be even more special,” said the Van Amersfoort Racing driver.

Mick Schumacher back in line-up

Mawson’s team will be back to full strength in Belgium. Mick Schumacher (16, GER, Van Amersfoort Racing) and Harrison Newey (16, GBR, Van Amersfoort Racing) both return to the cockpit for the Dutch racing team. Schumacher suffered a simple fracture of the hand at the Red Bull Ring and missed the third race. Team mate Newey, whose father Adrian built the cars of Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel amongst other things, will also be back on the grid. He had to skip the races in Austria due to private commitments.

Foretaste of next step up the career ladder

During the weekend, the young talents of the ADAC Formula 4 will have the chance to take a first-hand look at how their motor racing career could develop. For the first time, the FIA Formula 3 European championship series will be hosted by the ADAC GT Masters. Five drivers from the Formel ADAC, the predecessor to the ADAC Formula 4, are driving in this top-class series for juniors this year. The 2014 Formel ADAC champion, Mikkel Jensen (20, DEN, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) and the championship runner-up, Maximilian Günther (17, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) are in the line-up.

SPORT1 will broadcast all the races on free-to-air TV

Fans can watch all three ADAC Formula 4 races live on free-to-air television. TV partner SPORT1 will show the first race on Saturday, June 20th at 14:45. SPORT1 will also feature both races on Sunday at 13:25 clock and 17:00 on free-to-air TV. In addition, all 24 ADAC Formula 4 races are streamed live on www.SPORT1.de and adac.de/motorsport.