Thomas Preining (18, Austria, Lechner Racing) led from start to finish in the opening encounter of the ADAC F4 weekend at the Red Bull Ring (22-24 July). Racing on home turf, the local driver’s win was a fantastic way to mark his 18th birthday. It was a maiden F4 victory for the only Austrian in the field as he finished in front of rookie Juri Vips (15, Estonia, Prema Powerteam) and Kim-Luis Schramm (19, GER, US Racing). Vips also secured his maiden podium.

"That was an excellent race,” said Preining. “The team and I worked very well together, which leaves me wanting more. My goal was to secure a home win, which I've done, so I'm obviously happy." 

The two championship contenders Joey Mawson (20, Australia, Van Amersfoort Racing) and Mick Schumacher (17, Germany, Prema Powerteam) also produced strong performances in race one. Standings leader Mawson moved up from eleventh place on the grid to fourth position, thus securing twelve vital points. Schumacher improved from 15th place to sixth. Rookie Nicklas Nielsen (19, Denmark, Neuhauser Racing) in P5 finished sandwiched between the two drivers.  

Mawson went on to secure his sixth win of the 2016 ADAC Formula 4 in race two on Sunday. The Australian, who started from pole position, won from Mike David Ortmann (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) and rookie Nielsen.

Mawson's closest pursuer, Schumacher, managed to finish eleventh after starting from 33rd on the grid. Despite this magnificent charge up the field, he finished just outside the points. 

"The race was excellent, I've never felt so good on the track, and my pace was spot on," said Mawson after his victory. "I must definitely stay calm and focused now.”  

The leading trio of drivers were followed Vips who impressed on Saturday, Kim-Luis Schramm (19, Germany, US Racing) and ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Jannes Fittje (17, Germany, US Racing ). Making his return to ADAC Formula 4, Janneau Esmejer (19, Netherlands, Team Timo Scheider GmbH) placed seventh ahead of the three rookies Sebastian Fernandez Wahbeh (16, Venezuela, RB Racing SA), Jonathan Aberdein (18, South Africa, Motopark) and Lirim Zendeli (16 , Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg).

Simo Laaksonen (17, Finland, Motopark) won the third and final race in Austria from pole position, taking his maiden win in the championship. It was the third lights-to-flag win of the weekend after Preining and Mawson achieved the same feat in the first two contests.

Wrapping up the fifth race weekend of the ADAC High Speed Academy, Laaksonen consigned Schumacher and Mawson to second and third place. The two former teammates and the championship contenders have drawn further away from each other in the overall standings. Mawson now has 254 points, 46 more than Schumacher, who is currently on 208 points after his seventh podium finish of the season.
 
"It feels great to finally take my maiden win in the ADAC Formula 4. I'm very happy," said Laaksonen. "This track is very fast, and I really like that."
 
Nicklas Nielsen (19, Denmark, Neuhauser Racing) finished fourth and was once again best placed rookie as he came home ahead of Mike David Ortmann (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg eV). Rookie Juri Vips, Michael Waldherr (19, Germany, Lechner Racing), Leonard Hoogenboom (16, Netherlands, Van Amersfoort Racing), Luca Engstler (16, Germany, Liqui Moly Team Engstler) and ADAC Sports Foundation protégée Sophia Flörsch (15, Germany, Motopark) completed the Top Ten.  
 
More comments from the ADAC Formula 4:
 
Simo Laaksonen (Winner, Motopark):
"It was a tough race. Mick attacked me continually right to the end, but I managed to defend the lead. In the end, I had to force myself to stay calm and collected. I'm happy that it worked out and am looking forward to the Nürburgring."
 
Joey Mawson (third, Van Amersfoort Racing
"I'm pleased overall with my podium, as overtaking was really difficult. By the time I'd passed Mike David, there were not many laps left to attack the front-runners. The weekend was altogether excellent. We were able to extend our lead on Mick a little."
 
Nicklas Nielsen (fourth and best-placed rookie, Neuhauser Racing):
"I'm very happy with this weekend and especially with our pace here. A little more might even have been possible today, but I lost a few places early on after making a mistake. After that, I found it difficult to connect again with the front-runners. I battled with Joey for third place on the last lap, but he got the better of me in the end."