Race Report

FIA FORMULA 4
ADAC GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP, Rounds 1/2/3

Circuit: Spa-Francorchamps (B), Length 7.003 km, 22^nd/23^rd/24^th April 2022
www.spa-francorchamps.be

JENZER MOTORSPORT 2022:
Ethan Ischer (CH), Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi (THA), Rasmus Joutsimies (FIN)

A first point for Joutsimies in FIA F4 ADAC in Spa

The first of six race events featuring the 2022 FIA F4 ADAC German Championship was held at the legendary circuit of Spa-Francorchamps (B). There were 22 drivers on the entry list.
This was the first race event in Europe to feature the new generation (GEN2) FIA F4 cars, which must be introduced in all FIA F4 Championships from this season.
Actually, Samir Ben would also have started here with us, but his vehicle was delivered very late and very incomplete. Getting it race-ready in time was impossible.

Qualifying

Friday, 21/04/2022, 16.55 – 17.35, Weather: Overcast, 10°C

According to the regulations, there are two 30-minute free practice sessions per race and two 15-minute qualifying sessions, which are held with a short 10-minute break in between. The fastest time per driver from the first session counts for the starting grid of the 1st race, the fastest time per driver from the second session counts for the starting grid for the 2^nd race. The 3^rd race will start in the same way as the 2^nd race ended, but with the eight drivers in reverse order. The three races each have a length of 30 minutes.

FIA ADAC Formula 4 German Championship

Race One (30 minutes)

Saturday, 23/04/2022, 09.15, Weather: Cloudy, 10°C

Spa-Francorchamps weather was friendly and dry for the opening race of this year's championship. The start went well and the 21 race machines went on their way. Our three rookies also had a good start and soon were involved in several battles for positions. Rasmus managed to steadily improve throughout the race. In his first race in a formula car, he saw the checkered flag in an excellent 11^th place. Nandhavud went a bit wide after the start and lost a few positions. It took a while before his tires were clean again and he found his rhythm. With this he reached the finish line in 15^th place. Ethan, who was also driving his very first race in a Formula car, as already able to fight for positions with his rivals. He managed to get past Nandhavud and eventually overtook Sauter as well. Ethan crossed the finish line in 13^th place after an exciting race.

FIA ADAC Formula 4 German Championship

Race Two (30 minutes)

Saturday, 23/04/2022, 11.20, Weather: Sunny, 13°C

Not long after the first race, the vehicles were brought to the pre-start again. In the second race it became apparent that everyone was already much more aggressive. There were some incidents. Rasmus and Nandhavud were also involved in minor clashes. Rasmus was pushed and spun, but was able to continue after that, albeit some way behind. Nandhavud ran into another car and had to return to the pit lane to have a new front wing fitted. He lost a lot of time as a result, but was ultimately able to finish the race as well. Ethan was involved in several battles for position. He had already made good progress, but towards the end he lost several places again. After an eventful race, our riders all finished, with Ethan in 13^th, Rasmus in 14^th and Nandhavud in 15^th.

FIA ADAC Formula 4 German Championship

Race Three (30 minutes)

Sunday, 24/04/2022, 09.15, Weather: Overcast, 10°C

The third race of the season started early on Sunday morning. A small accident happened immediately and the safety car took over the field. Rasmus and Nandhavud got off to a good start and were now 11^th and 12^th respectively. Ethan missed the start slightly and dropped to 15^th. At the restart, Rasmus managed to overtake Flack and settled into 10^th place. Nandhavud was now 13^th and Ethan 14^th. A few laps later Ethan tried to overtake but it didn't turn out well. He damaged his front wing and had to go back to the pits to get a new part. This dropped him to 20^th place. Rasmus managed to bring home an excellent 10^th place and thus a first point. Nandhavud finished right behind him in 11^th place. Ethan took the checkered flag in 20^th place.

The next race meeting in the ADAC Formula 4 series takes place in 3 weeks’ time, on the weekend of 15^th May 2022 at the Hockenheimring (D).

Championship Standings

FIA ADAC Formula 4 German 2022 after 3 races out of 18:
1^st Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA), 62 points; 2^nd Rafael Camara (BRA), 61 points; 3^rd Kacper Sztuka (POL), 30 points; 4^th Conrad Laursen (DK), 27 points; 5^th Charlie Wurz (AUT), 25 points; 6^th Marcus Amand (FRA), 22 points; 12^th Rasmus Joutsimies (FIN), 4 points; 14^th Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi (THA), 1 point

Rookie-Standings:
1^st Rafael Camara (BRA), 61 points; 2^nd Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA), 50 points; 3^rd Rasmus Joutsimies (FIN), 37 points; 5^th Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi (THA), 30 points

2022 FIA F4 ADAC German Championship

More info:

• www.adac-motorsport.de/adac-formel-4/de/