ADAC Formel 4 

ADAC Formel 4·26.9.2020

Edgar triumphs in the wet: British driver extends championship lead

In the second ADAC Formula 4 race at the Nürburgring, championship leader Jonny Edgar was very impressive as he demonstrated his qualities on a wet track and comfortably clinched his fourth win of the season in the cool autumn temperatures. The 16-year-old Brit from Van Amersfoort Racing won the round taking place within the context of the ADAC Total 24-hour race this Saturday morning, coming home in front of the two US Racing drivers, Elias Seppänen and Oliver Bearman. As a result, the Red Bull Junior extended his overall lead in the championship and is now on 176 points, 34 points up on Seppänen, who managed to retake second place in the overall standings. Race 3 is this afternoon at 13.10 CEST. SPORT1 will broadcast the round on TV. Racing can also be watched as live stream at adac.de/motorsport, SPORT1.de, YouTube.com/ADAC and on the ADAC Formula 4 Facebook page.

The rain in the Eifel stopped just in time for the start, but the race began behind the safety car in view of the wet track conditions. The race stewards gave the signal to commence racing after two laps. Pole-sitter Edgar initially stayed ahead but then shortly afterwards, had to let Victor Bernier (R-ace GP) and Seppänen go through. "There was a contact in Turn 2, so I almost spun and dropped back to third," said Edgar. The British counterattack was not long in coming. First, Edgar overtook Seppänen again, and then just after that, Bernier locked up in Turn 1 and skidded off track into the gravel. The Frenchman was able to continue but had to pit and dropped back to the rear of the field. Edgar reclaimed P1 and then drew away in the lead.

"I paced myself carefully towards the end, because I had a big lead and didn't want to make any mistakes," said Edgar. "Elias was gaining on me, but I knew I could go even quicker if necessary."

To Edgar's rear, Seppänen won through against Bearman after scrapping during the course of an entire lap. "I made a small mistake in Turn 10, which enabled him to get past me again," said Bearman. "But overall, I'm very pleased with the result." Friday's winner, Jak Crawford, made a strong charge from tenth on the grid to fourth but lost second place in the overall standings to Seppänen by a three-point margin. ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Tim Tramnitz took fifth place from the Italian, Francesco Pizzi, on the last lap. Artem Lobanenko (R-ace GP) finished seventh ahead of fellow Russian, Vladislav Lomko. The German, Joshua Dürksen, and Kirill Smal secured the remaining points-scoring positions.

The grid for Race 3 is decided on the basis of the Reversed Grid Rule with the top eight drivers from the second race starting in reverse order. And so, Lomko will be in pole position followed by Lobanenko and Pizzi. Championship leader Edgar will occupy grid slot eight. "We'll have to see what the weather is like," said Edgar. "I just hope I can post a good first lap and make sure I gain a couple of places."