Win for Lando Norris on ADAC Formula 4 debut

• Second place and victory: Strong debut performance from Lando Norris at Spa-Francorchamps
• Robert Shwartzman makes it onto the podium in all three races
• Norris: “My first ADAC Formula 4 weekend could hardly have gone any better”

Spa-Francorchamps. Lando Norris (15, GBR, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) made an
almost perfect debut in the ADAC Formula 4 series, winning the third race at Spa-
Francorchamps. After finishing second in the earlier Sunday race, the 15-year-old
went one better in the late afternoon. The runner-up behind surprise winner Norris
was Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing). Third-placed Robert
Shwartzman (15, RUS, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) rounded off a strong weekend
with podium finish number three at the legendary Ardennes rollercoaster circuit.

“My first ADAC Formula 4 weekend could hardly have gone any better, especially as
I’ve never competed at Spa-Francorchamps before,” said series newcomer Norris,
whose results over the weekend have immediately taken him up to fifth in the
championship.

Norris exploits super start

A strong start was the basis for the ultimate success of the kfzteile24 Mücke
Motorsport youngster. Placed seventh on the grid, Norris neatly avoided getting
caught up in several collisions during the opening lap on a wet track. By the end of
Lap 1, Norris was already up to second position. On the fourth lap, he overtook
Marek Böckmann (18, GER, Jenzer Motorsport) who had until then managed to
defend his pole position.

Mawson, who has now moved up to second in the championship, had to fight hard
for his third podium of the 2015 ADAC Formula 4 campaign. From sixth on the grid,
the Australian gradually worked his way up the field, eventually securing second
place at the midway point in the race. After a safety car period, a thrilling four-way
battle developed between Mawson, championship leader Joel Eriksson (17, SWE,
Motopark), Shwartzman and Kim Luis Schramm (17, GER, Neuhauser Racing).
Mawson finally prevailed to claim the runner-up spot.

Triple podium success for Shwartzman

Shwartzman appeared to have lost third place on the final lap as first Schramm
and then Eriksson went past. After the safety car had been sent out, the stewards
decided to red-flag the race. The decision was triggered by an accident involving
Jannes Fittje (15, GER, Motopark) who lost control of his car after sustaining
damage to the front wing and ploughed into a barrier. Fittje was taken to the
Medical Centre for a check-up but was later released. In line with the regulations,
this meant that the race positions on the previous lap were deemed final.
Shwartzman’s P3 was thus restored, making him the only driver on the weekend to
have had three podium appearances.

Slotting in behind the Top Three was Eriksson whose fourth place brought in even
more points towards the title. The Swedish junior won the first two races at Spa-
Francorchamps, making it four out of the most recent six. After a difficult weekend,
Schramm made a creditable comeback from grid position 14 to finish fifth.
Neuhauser Racing team-mate Tim Zimmermann (18, GER, Neuhauser Racing) also
improved during the race by seven positions to cross the line in sixth. Rookie David
Beckmann (15, GER, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) and Michael Waldherr (18, GER,
Motopark) completed the Top Eight.

Eriksson heads for Lausitzring as championship leader

Spa double winner Eriksson leads the championship after the third race weekend
of the season on 136 points. The gap on his closest pursuer, Joey Mawson, is a
daunting 38 points. The next two places are occupied by Ralf Aron (17, EST, Prema
Powerteam) and Marvin Dienst (18, GER, HTP Juniorteam) on 83 and 81 points
respectively. The fourth event of the 2015 ADAC Formula 4 season will be hosted
by the Lausitzring on the weekend of 3rd - 5th July.

Comments from the podium

Lando Norris (15, GBR, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), Winner:
“A win, a podium and a P4 finish: My first ADAC Formula 4 weekend could hardly
have gone any better, especially as I’ve never competed at Spa-Francorchamps
before. I got off to a great start because, fortunately, I was on the dry side of the
track. I immediately moved up into third, and after a few more laps, I was leading
the race. Then I got involved in a battle with Joey, but he made an error and fell
back. It was looking odds on for the win until the safety car came out. Fortunately, I
managed the restart well, and when the race was eventually abandoned, I was well
in the lead.”

Joey Mawson (19, AUS, Van Amersfoort Racing), Second:
“This was ultimately a great race for me, although it didn’t get off to the best of
starts. There was a collision ahead of me which I had to swerve to avoid. That cost
me several positions. The main thing was to stay calm and use my straight-line
speed to advantage. I wanted to win the race of course, but the safety car put paid
to that. I at least managed some damage limitation with this second place in my
pursuit of Eriksson. He is now very far ahead in the championship, but I have scored
some important points and have now clearly established my claim to second
place.”

Robert Shwartzman (15, RUS, kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), Third:
“I’ve had podium finishes in all three races at Spa, so it’s been a great weekend.
However, my start in the final race wasn’t perfect. I had some problems with my
front wheels, and four or five cars immediately sailed past. After a few laps, I finally
found a good rhythm and was getting faster all the time. I went past the opposition
one by one. The safety car period finally got me within striking distance of third
place and I made my passing manoeuvre on the start/finish line. Shortly
afterwards, one of my wheels locked on Turn 1 and I started to lose ground.
Fortunately, this didn’t matter, as the race was then abandoned and I retained my
podium position.”