Starting field for ADAC Formula 4 now complete: 42 cars entered for debut season

• Overwhelming interest in new ADAC junior formula series
• Maximum number of vehicles reached with 42 registrations
• Attractive line-up with teams from six countries

Munich. The enthusiastic response to the new ADAC Formula 4 has exceeded all expectations. With just four weeks to go before the start of the debut season, the starting field is now complete. Eighteen teams registered and 42 cars entered are a testament to the tremendous interest in the new ADAC junior open-wheel series. This means that the series has now reached the maximum number of entries for the 2015 inaugural season.

In the season opener at the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (24th - 26th April 2015), fans can expect to see an international starting field. The teams from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Italy will be promoting talented youngsters from 13 different countries. The full list of names on the starting list will be announced some time during the coming week. The teams and drivers will then be presented at the ADAC GT Masters and ADAC Formula 4 Media Day to be held at the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben on 8th April 2015.

Drivers who have prior experience of other single-seater series will be competing against ambitious young talents making the step up from karting. One interesting name on the ADAC Formula 4 entry list is that of Mick Schumacher, son of record Formula 1 championship winner Michael Schumacher, making his debut in open-wheel racing. Another is Harrison Newey, son of famous Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey, designer of the cars in which Sebastian Vettel won world championships. There will also be three females on the grid: Michelle Halder, Marylin Niederhauser and Carrie Schreiner.

“Interest in the ADAC Formula 4 remains overwhelming,” says ADAC Sports President Hermann Tomczyk. “We have worked successfully with young talent for over two decades now, and I am sure that ADAC Formula 4 will produce even more future Formula 1 drivers. We are very proud that Formula 1 stars such as Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Nico Hülkenberg and Ralf Schumacher earned their spurs in the various ADAC junior formula series.”

Lars Soutschka, ADAC Director Motorsport and Classic: “The line-up is studded with talented young drivers who have already made a name for themselves and with internationally acclaimed teams. We are already looking forward to the season opener in Oschersleben with its attractive field. I’m certain that the young talents will make the racing exciting and that spectators will get their money’s worth.”

Track approval protocol drawn up by the FIA and the DMSB states that the maximum number of places available on the Formula 4 grid is limited to between 35 and 52, depending on the race venue. In free practice, the maximum number of starters at some tracks is limited to 42. If, for example, only 35 starters are allowed at a particular track and there are more entries, the results from qualifying will decide the actual starting field for the weekend’s ensuing three races. The young talents will have two free practice sessions in which to prepare for the qualifying and the rest of the weekend.

The inaugural season of the ADAC Formula 4 kicks off on the weekend of 24th-26th April 2015 in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. The ADAC academy for juniors will convene at seven race weekends in the ADAC GT Masters and once at Oschersleben with the DTM Touring Car Series. ADAC Formula 4 will line up a total of five times this year with the Super Sports Car League at German race circuits – in Oschersleben, at the Lausitzring, Nürburgring, Sachsenring and in Hockenheim. The junior series will race twice with the ADAC GT Masters at current Formula 1 circuits outside of Germany’s borders – at the Red Bull Ring in Austria and at Spa Francorchamps. SPORT1+ will broadcast the races live.

For many years, the ADAC development programme for single-seater junior drivers has been the starting point for future motor racing stars. In the past, Formula 1 drivers, including four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, Nico Hülkenberg, Ralf Schumacher and Nico Rosberg and DTM stars Martin Tomczyk, Pascal Wehrlein and Timo Glock all began their successful careers in ADAC junior open-wheel series.