Lausitzring podium without its winner
Top step of the podium remains empty after the first race
After 20 action-packed laps, the spectators witnessed a rather bizarre podium ceremony, as the winner of the fifth round of the ADAC Formula 4 championship was not allowed to attend.
US Racing driver Kim Luis Schramm celebrated his first career victor, with the 19-year-old driving a clean race and managed to stay in front, solidly leading the rest of the field over the 30-minute race distance. Nevertheless, his team was excluded from qualifying, after scrutineers had found out that a camber shim had not been fitted to the front right suspension.
With the German squad filing an appeal against this decision, the weekend's result will only be provisional. (AF4 reported: drivetribe.com/p/RS4U5-bCR92STauDi_HAPA?iid=Bl89ybZJRdOpJROIlZFIdw)
A podium without its winner: after the appeal of US Racing, Kim Luis Schramm were not allowed to be part of the podium ceremony. (Kami Moreira-Laliberté, Juri Vips and Charles Weerts) ©Joan Codina
The first breath-taking moment could be seen right after the lights went off, when Van Amersfoort Racing's Kami Laliberté braked late on the inside of the first corner. Thanks to a thoughtful Nicklas Nielsen (US Racing) – who let the Canadian pass – an accident was prevented.
US Racing team-mate Fabio Scherer wasn't as lucky when Jonathan Aberdein (Motopark) missed the apex, hit the kerb and as a result, hit Scherer which ended the race for both of them.
Motopark driver Jonathan Aberdein finished his race after crashing into Fabio Scherer (US Racing) ©Gruppe C GmbH/ ADAC Motorsport
The famous Lausitzring corners found another victim in Sophia Flörsch (BWT Mücke Motorsport), after she hit the wall in the last corner. In addition, the 16-year-old had lost her front wing, eventually coming into the pits where her race finished early. Laurin Heinrich (Heinrich Motorsport) also finished his race prematurely in the pits, as the reason has yet to be announced.
Leonard Hoogenboom (Motopark) gained the most positions: he started 26th and fought his way up to 13th when a duel with Estner in the first corner forced both drivers to go wide. Whilst the German continued as 14th, the Dutch spun before returning and finishing 17th.
If there would be a "driver of the day" in Formula 4, Prema Powerteam's Juri Vips would be another hot candidate for this title. Having started the race from 12th position, the Estonian was already fifth after two laps. The 16-year-old was unstoppable, crossing the line in third, securing a podium place.
Van Amersfoort Racing driver Felipe Drugovich finished sixth after a great fight ©Gruppe C GmbH/ ADAC Motorsport
Another exciting pursuit could be seen between Felipe Drugovich (Van Amersfoort Racing), Lirim Zendeli (BWT MĂĽcke Motorsport) and Cedric Piro (Team Piro Sport Interdental) fighting for the position eight, nine and ten. After Drugovich passed Zendeli, the Brazilian was able to defend his position. The trio finished in six, seven and eight, as all of the three drivers have kept the order.
Oliver Söderström (BWT Mücke Motorsport) scared his fans with a wild ride through the gravel. The Swede was able to continue the race as 18th, but made it back up to P15 by the end of the race.
On lap 15, Juan Manuel Correa suddenly stopped on track, as a replay showed that the Prema Powerteam driver spun after being hit by Nicklas Nielsen (US Racing.) Correa managed to turn his car and immediately drove to the pits, being unable to continue the race.
Charles Weerts (Motopark) joined the bizarre podium ceremony as best Rookie, finishing 11th overall.
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