ADAC Formel 4·9.6.2018

ADAC Formula 4: Maiden win for Fittipaldi: Lawson reduces deficit on Zendeli in championship race - Vesti in second place

Enzo Fittipaldi (16, Brazil, Prema Theodore Racing) has won the tenth ADAC Formula 4 race of the season and taken his maiden win in the ADAC high-speed school. The grandson of two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi took P1 from Frederik Vesti (16, Denmark, Van Amersfoort Racing) and now moves up into third place in the drivers' championship. Liam Lawson (16, New Zealand, Van Amersfoort Racing) came home behind them to complete the party on the podium. David Schumacher (16, Germany, US Racing CHRS) was once again best rookie, picking up vital points in the race for the ADAC Formula 4 Rookie Cup.

"The race was okay really. I lost a position, unfortunately, but my times were about right," said Schumacher: "I secured vital points in the Rookie competition once more, so I'm quite satisfied."

Pole-sitter Fittipaldi held his own at the start and led the field into the first corner while even at this early stage, the two Van Amersfoort drivers, Vesti and Lawson, were hard at it, scrapping for P2 which Vesti successfully maintained until the end of the race.

"I knew we had the pace to win after taking pole yesterday and am very pleased with the result," said Fittipaldi: "Frederik was about half a second behind me for the entire race. I would have lost the lead had I made a mistake."

Zendeli, our 'champion' at the half-way stage in the season, finished fourth, just missing the podium. As a result, Lawson took three points out of Zendeli in the race for the championship, reducing his deficit to 22. Charles Weerts (17, Belgium, Van Amersfoort Racing), who had taken P5 from Schumacher a few minutes after the start of the race, crossed the line behind them. With just four minutes left on the clock, Weerts had also made a move on Zendeli, who clung on to P4. Schumacher remained in sixth place and increased his lead in the Rookie classification to 19 points.

Rookie Gianluca Petecof (15, Brazil, Prema Theodore Racing) finished seventh and was followed home by Oliver Caldwell (15, Great Britain, Prema Theodore Racing) and local driver Mick Wishofer (18, Austria, US Racing CHRS). Lucas Alecco Roy (21, Monaco, Van Amersfoort Racing) completed the Top Ten.

The ADAC Formula 4 drivers will contest their second race of the weekend at the Red Bull Ring this afternoon at 4.35 pm. SPORT1 will broadcast racing from the ADAC high-speed school on TV. All races are also available as livestream with English commentary at adac.de/motorsport, on the Facebook page of the ADAC Formula 4 and at youtube.com/adac.