The new champion in the ADAC Formula 4 has been determined: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (16/Prema Racing) was crowned early champion of the 2022 season with his first place in the 17th round of the season at the Nürburgring.
“Simply unbelievable! Being champion in the ADAC Formula 4 feels great. After crossing the finish line, I cried out my joy on the team radio, it was an emotional moment. I’m enjoying the success now and letting the impressions sink in.” said the Italian.
At the same time, the Mercedes Junior and his Prema Racing team celebrated first place in the team championship. Taylor Barnard (18/GBR/PHM Racing) and McLaren junior Ugo Ugochukwu (15/USA/Prema Racing) finished behind the nine-time race winner.
In the first race on Saturday morning, visitors to the ADAC Racing Weekend in the Eifel region saw an entertaining race. With a cloudy sky and temperatures of twelve degrees Celsius, the drivers started with their around 180 hp Formula 4 cars on rain tires. Pole setter Camara defended his lead from Antonelli on the wet track. However, a safety car phase neutralized the field on lap eight. Two laps later, Camara set the pace again and maintained his lead at the restart.
One lap later on the 5.137-kilometre Grand Prix circuit, Antonelli started the decisive manoeuvre: the Mercedes Junior dueled with the Ferrari Driver Academy driver over several corners and took first place. Championship leader Antonelli took another step towards the title and finished ahead of Camara. Australian James Wharton (16/Prema Racing) completed the podium. With his fourth place, Barnard initially kept the title race open, Ugochukwu was fifth.
Antonelli right in front after a lightning start
Camara again started from first place in the second race in the afternoon. However, Antonelli got off to a lightning start in rainy conditions and entered the first corner as the leader. Antonelli mastered the demanding conditions on the traditional circuit in the Eifel best and extended his lead in a turbulent initial phase. Even a safety car phase at the end of the race could not stop the new champion, so that Antonelli celebrated his second win in a row at the Nürburgring.
“The traction on the wet track wasn’t particularly good, but I managed to get off to an excellent start. During the race I didn’t have to take any more risks and I knew that I was on course for the championship. Nevertheless, I kept my concentration until the end and saw the checkered flag as the champion”, Antonelli described the race from his point of view. With 303 points, he can no longer be pushed off the top of the drivers’ standings.
Behind them, an exciting battle for the podium developed, with Barnard moving up to second place and bringing it home. “In the first corner I felt a touch on the car and suffered a little damage as a result. That wasn’t ideal for my race,” said Barnard, who also finished second in the championship behind Antonelli.
In his fifth race in the ADAC high-speed school, Ugochukwu was happy with his best result to date and first place in the rookie classification. “The race was pretty nerve-racking due to the wet track conditions. However, I didn’t allow myself to make any mistakes and I’m very happy about my first trophy in the ADAC Formula 4,” said Ugochukwu.
Last race on Sunday at 11:35 am
The Finn Rasmus Joutsimies (Jenzer Motorsport) finished fourth and thus collected valuable points for the rookie classification. Before the last race on Sunday afternoon, the 19-year-old leads Camara by seven points. Ferrari Driver Academy driver Wharton completed the top five in the penultimate race of the season.
Prema Racing was also very happy about winning the team championship. Before the final race on Sunday, the Italian racing team can no longer take first place with 561 points. The most successful team of the 2022 season has an impressive record: In total, Prema Racing clinched twelve victories with four different drivers, plus nine pole positions. “As a collective, we did a very strong job. For us as a team, this title is very important because it brings us even closer together,” said Grazia Troncon, Prema Racing team manager.
The last race of the ADAC Formula 4 season takes place on Sunday at 11:35 a.m. Excitement is guaranteed for the finale: thanks to the reverse grid rule, the top eight from the previous race will start in reverse order. Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi (16, GER) from Thailand will start the race from pole position. In the 18th race, the decision in the rookie classification will be made.