Joey Mawson: The 2016 ADAC Formula 4 champion in profile

• ‘Lights-to-flag victory’ for the Australian: In the lead ever since first race
• Mawson's next objective: Move up into Formula 3

Hockenheim: There was a suspicion that 2016 would be Joey Mawson's (20, Australia, Van Amersfoort Racing) year back in April when the 20-year-old took two wins and a second place during the opener of ADAC Formula 4's second season at Oschersleben. Mawson left Oschersleben as overall leader and kept the lead to the end of the season.

Mawson took the first opportunity to crown himself champion of the ADAC High-Speed Academy in advance of the season's end during the season finale at the Hockenheimring. “It's an amazing feeling, simply the best! It's not really sunk in yet and probably won't until after a few days have passed,” he said.

Ten wins in 23 races, six more podiums, and only four races without any points to show for his efforts, it was this consistency that made Mawson stand out from his fellow competitors in his second year in the ADAC Formula 4.

The battle with his friend and rival, Mick Schumacher (17, Germany, Prema Powerteam), was the abiding feature of the season. Racing between the two former Van Amersfoort team-mates was always close, but fair and sportsmanlike. Championship runner-up Schumacher congratulated Mawson, shaking his hand and saying: “Well done, Joey. Congratulations on your title,” adding with a chuckle, “Our battle will go on.”

Mawson, who was third last year, is well thought of by the other drivers. “He definitely deserves it. The way he left me behind in the race here at Hockenheim was very impressive,” was just one comment from Schumacher's team-mate, Juri Vips (16, Estonia, Prema Powerteam). ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Mike David Ortmann (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) also praised Mawson's performance. “The driver who racks up the most points during the year deserves to win,” said Ortmann, “All in all, Joey was simply better.”

Next year, Mawson would love to switch to Formula 3, of course, with his team Van Amersfoort, with which the 20-year-old has enjoyed the greatest success of his motor racing career to date. “I'm up for any challenge,” said Mawson back in July. The 'champ' is supported by PODIUM, an investment company which is committed to the sponsorship of young Australian racing drivers.

It was in November 2012 when Mawson was just 16 years old that he first ventured from down under to Europe and Italy. 2013 was his last season competing in various international karting series before a move the following year to France where he promptly finished fourth in the French Formula 4 series. Since 2015, Sydney-born Mawson has made the ADAC Formula 4 and Van Amersfoort in the Netherlands his home.

The young Aussie will definitely not rest on his laurels. He will travel home briefly on 21st December, but before that, testing and discussions about his future are on the agenda. His dreams of turning his passion for motorsport into a professional career are something that Mawson has repeatedly talked about. The 20-year-old has an excellent CV in his back pocket now that he's champion of the ADAC High-Speed Academy!