Rehearsal for Formula 1
Maximilian Günther on podium at the Red Bull Ring
Perfect warm-up for Formula 1´s return to Austria: Maximilian Günther guested along with the Formel ADAC at the Red Bull Ring for the fourth race weekend of the 2014 season. Unusual – for the first time this year, the reigning vice-champion came away without a win from this race weekend, but Maxi did not leave Spielberg empty-handed – second place in the second race and his 17th podium success overall in this high-calibre junior series won him another trophy. Maxi continues to chase records. Only three drivers have achieved more podiums in the seven-year history of the Formel ADAC. With fifth place in the first race and fourth place in the third race, he garnered more valuable points in the championship battle.
No pole, no win – what happened, Maxi?
“To put it simply, I was just not fast enough for the win this weekend. Too bad, though, that I narrowly missed out on my second podium finish in the third race. I was bumped back down the field in the chaos during the start, otherwise it might have worked out.” Maxi was the only one of the five Mücke Motorsport drivers to secure a podium finish at the Red Bull Ring. His weekend did not get off to the best of starts in the crucial qualifying session where he placed fifth twice and subsequently had to fight his way forwards. Very much an exception, with eleven pole positions, the Deutsche Post Speed Academy protégé is the most successful driver in qualifying in the annals of the Formel ADAC.
Second place in the championship. Are you disappointed at not being on top?
“No way! We´ve only had 12 of 24 races and I´m still within striking distance of the top, and I´ve got half a season in which to catch up. My goal remains the same, to win the title. We intend to continue just as before, so I´m not at all worried. My team has done brilliantly well so far, and we certainly intend to build on past successes.” How does that look in terms of numbers? Three wins, six podiums and three fastest laps so far this season.
Maxi´s lessons from Spielberg
1. “Tricky weekend for the team in Spielberg – but we made the best of it.”
2. “Great weather, great fans, plus a unique atmosphere at the Red Bull Ring. Spielberg is ready for Formula 1!”
3. “Never give up. Every point is vital in the title fight, I´ll take them all.”
What next?
Summer break for Formel ADAC. The sixth race weekend takes place from August 6th to 8th in Slovakia. “But I don´t intend to laze around, quite the opposite; school and intensive training are at the top of my agenda in order to stay fit, both mentally and physically. Test drives will enable to get geared up for the demands of the Slovakia Ring. The long straights mean that slipstreaming will play a major role throughout. And so, my plan is to quickly draw away from pole position if at all possible and secure more wins.”
Foto: Formel ADAC