Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Prema Racing) celebrated first place in round four of the ADAC Formula 4 at the Hockenheimring on Saturday. The 15-year-old thus prevailed over his team-mate Rafael Camara (BRA). Taylor Barnard (17/GBR) defended his third place on the last lap and thus achieved the first podium success for his team PHM Racing.
“I got off to a good start and was able to pull away a bit. After that, I had the tire management under control, which is absolutely crucial on this track. I stayed focused throughout the race and didn’t allow myself to make any mistakes,” said the Italian Antonelli.
Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. (BRA/Van Amersfoort Racing) started his first race in the ADAC junior series in front of his father, the two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Luca Badoer, a former Formula 1 driver, was thrilled when his son Brando Badoer (ITA/Van Amersfoort Racing) made his debut.
Camara is happy about important points
In the first race of the weekend as part of the 24H Series, 20 drivers from 14 different nations started on the 4.574 kilometer race track. Pole setter Antonelli got off to a good start under a bright blue sky and temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius and was able to quickly build up a lead. He didn’t give up first place, so the championship leader was celebrating his victory at the end of the 30-minute race.
Behind the Mercedes-Junior, Camara came under pressure because Barnard initially moved into second place on lap one before the hairpin. On lap three, Camara countered in the same section and maintained second place to the finish. “The start didn’t go according to plan for me because I struggled with understeer in the first corner. But then the minor problems subsided and I’m happy about second place and important points for the championship,” explained the 17-year-old .
Charlie Wurz (17/AUT/Prema Racing) and Barnard fought a wheel-to-wheel duel on the final lap and fought for the last remaining spot on the podium. “I deliberately let Camara break off to protect my tires a bit. This strategy has paid off and I’m very happy with my first podium result,” said Barnard about the end of the race.
Wurz, son of former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz, finished fourth. Martinius Stenshorne (16, NOR, Van Amersfoort Racing) finished the race in fifth place and was the second-best rookie behind Camara. With sixth place, Jonas Ried (17/Ehingen/PHM Racing) secured his best placing of the season in the ADAC high-speed school. Conrad Laursen (16/DNK/Prema Racing) and Arias Deukmedjian (17/USA/Van Amersfoort Racing) saw the checkered flag behind the German.
Brando Badoer and Rasmus Joutsimies (19/FIN/Jenzer Motorsport) completed the top ten. This weekend, 15-year-old Badoer is starting in the ADAC junior series for the first time in front of his father, former Formula 1 driver Luca Badoer. Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. could count on special support. Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi keeps his fingers crossed for his 15-year-old son in the Schwetzinger Hardt. In his racing debut in the ADAC Formula 4, the Brazilian crossed the finish line in 14th place.
On Sunday there are two races on the program for the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow. The starting shot for the first run is at 09:10. Due to the reverse grid rule, the top eight start in reverse order in the third race of the weekend at 1:10 p.m. All ADAC Formula 4 races will be streamed live free of charge on sport.de and adac.de/motorsport.