Maxi starts with pole into new season
Record-breaking in Oschersleben
Qualifying in the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben marked the official start to the 2014 Formel ADAC season. The ADAC high-speed academy is now commencing its seventh year with 15 young drivers from six different countries. Mikkel Jensen (19, Denmark, Neuhauser Racing) secured the best possible grid position for the first of three races in Oschersleben. The Neuhauser Racing driver needed 1:28.709 minutes for his fastest lap in qualifying and starts the first race (Saturday, 1:35 pm) from pole position. Jensen has secured his maiden pole position in what will be his second year in the Formel ADAC.
Maximilian Günther (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) posted a 1:28.793 to secure the second-fastest time. Last year´s runner-up had a deficit of just 0.084 seconds on pole-setter Jensen, and so Günther will be in second place on the grid for the start of the first race. Günther secured pole position in the second race on Sunday at 09:15 am. Grid positions in this race are determined by the second fastest lap times in qualifying.
Aggregating results from two different seasons means that ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Günther is now the most successful qualifying driver ever in the history of Formel ADAC. By achieving this ninth pole position, he has overtaken the two former champions Daniel Abt (2009) and Pascal Wehrlein (2011), who each claimed eight poles.
Close scrap for lead
Günther was the first driver on Saturday morning to crack 1:29. The 16-year-old remained on top for quite a long time until Jensen’s first attack ten minutes before the end. Jensen was about two hundredths of a second off the pace on his first run but clinched best time at the second attempt. Günther counterattacked immediately, but yellow flags in the third sector forced him to slow down and he was consequently no longer a threat to Jensen.
After qualifying Maxi said: “What a cracking start to the new season. I’m very pleased to have become the most successful qualifier in Formel ADAC history. Through working consistently well, we have been able to secure excellent grid positions for the race again and I’m pleased that it’s reflected in the statistics. My thanks to the team who have once again provided me with a super car. I’m also very happy with my own performance, even though a better result might have been possible. Unfortunately, the yellow flags coming out towards the end of the session stopped me from taking best time of anyone overall. I’m now looking ahead to the race and will certainly try to take the lead as quickly as possible.”
Foto: ADAC Formel Masters