Despite a challenging weekend at the Lausitzring, Australian Joey Mawson has maintained the lead in the 2016 ADAC German Formula 4 Championship.

After a sixth place finish in a shortened Race One, the PODIUM-backed Van Amersfoort Racing driver added another piece of silverware to his collection in Race Two on Saturday by finishing second behind Mick Schumacher.

With rain falling as the field lined up for the final 30-minute encounter Mawson, along with the majority of the field, elected to start the race on wet weather tyres.  As the race went on the circuit dried out and he was forced to conserve his tyres while running in fourth place.

Unfortunately contact from another driver damaged the front wing on his car and he was forced to pit for repairs dropping him to 23rd in the final classification.

While disappointed with the final result, Mawson is pleased to have maintained the Championship lead after having secured seven podium finishes from nine races so far in the 24-race schedule.

“It was one of those weekends where we just didn’t get the breaks we needed,” said Mawson.

“In qualifying I was fastest in my group only to be pipped right in the last seconds and end up fourth fastest in my group which meant I started eight in Race One.  That race was then shortened, we only raced 10 of the original 30 minutes, due to a multi-car accident on lap one.

“Race Two I just couldn’t get a run on Mick (Schumacher) to mount a serious challenge for the lead and then Race Three just didn’t go our way when Thomas Preining turned in on me and damaged my front wing.

“On the upside I’m still in the lead of the Championship and the next event is at Oschersleben where I dominated the opening round.”

Mawson now leads the Championship on 152 points, 3 clear of Schumacher in second with Mike Ortmann third on 100.  The next round will be contested in two weeks time in Oschersleben on June 17-19.

With six podium finishes in as many races Australian Joey Mawson has enjoyed a stellar start to his campaign in the 2016 ADAC German Formula 4 Championship.

Entering this weekend’s third round at the Lausitzring circuit the PODIUM-backed driver holds a 35-point lead in the Championship standings but he’s not looking to play the conservative role anytime soon.

After having several weeks out of the Van Amersfoort-prepared car Mawson is chafing at the bit to get back behind the wheel in race mode and continue his great momentum that he has built up over the first couple of rounds in the Championship.

“We’ve had a bit of a break between rounds, I’ve been training hard and we’ve done a couple of days testing but I really can’t wait to get back out there in race mode this weekend,” said Mawson.

“I think we should have some good speed but it’s all about getting the maximum out of the car at the right time when it matters most.

“In the corresponding round last year I qualified fastest in my group and finished on the podium in every race – something I’ll be hoping that I can replicate this weekend.”

In addition to the Formula 4 action the DTM Championship, ADAC GT Masters, Porsche Carrera Cup and Superbikes are also on the program this weekend making it one of the most popular in the eight-round schedule.

“Anytime we race on the DTM program it’s a huge experience.  The crowd at the Lausitzring is one of the biggest we race in front of all year which makes for a fantastic event,” said Mawson.

“Standing on the podium in front of a large crowd is an amazing feeling.  My goal is to finish up there in every race while hoping to win a race or two and ensure that the championship points tick over.”

Mawson will take to the circuit on Friday morning for the only practice session ahead of qualifying in the afternoon.  The driver’s fastest time in qualifying decides the grid for race one and second fastest for race two.  The finishing positions in the opening 30-minute race decide the grid for Sunday’s race three, with the top ten being reversed.

Australian Joey Mawson will be out to continue his stellar start to the 2016 ADAC German Formula 4 Championship when he takes to the Sachsenring circuit this weekend.

The PODIUM-backed driver currently sits 17 points clear at the top of the standings with his eyes focused on more podium results aboard his Van Amersfoort Racing entry.

“I’m still coming off a high after the first round, which has really given me a lot of confidence but at the end of the day you’re only as good as your last race so I’ve got to continue that form this weekend,” said Mawson.

“There is a great vibe around the place at the factory and everyone has been doing a fantastic job preparing some reliable and fast cars.  From my side I need to make sure that I get the best out of the set-up and reward everyone for their hard work.”

Mawson is encouraged by a solid test day at the Sachsenring circuit recently and last year’s victory in the final race at the corresponding round adds further confidence.

“We had a very good test day there but when it comes down to it if you’re not fast on the race weekend the testing speed doesn’t count for much,” said Mawson.

“The circuit itself is quite a bit different to Oschersleben, it has a mix of low speed technical corners but there’s also some high speed fast corners that require you to be very brave.

“My objective is to take each race as it comes rather than focus on the Championship.  I hope to be up on the podium and maximise the potential results in each race.”

Mawson will take to the circuit on Friday morning for the first of two practice sessions ahead of qualifying late in the afternoon.  The driver’s fastest time in qualifying decides the grid for race one and second fastest for race two.  The finishing positions in the opening 30-minute race decide the grid for Sunday’s race three, with the top ten being reversed.

Australian Joey Mawson dominated the opening round of the 2016 ADAC German Formula 4 Championship at the Oschersleben circuit across the weekend.

The PODIUM-backed Van Amersfoort Racing driver was the pacesetter all throughout the weekend to qualify on pole position for the opening two races, transferring both of which into convincing race victories.

Starting from tenth position in the reverse-top ten final race Mawson showed superior speed on his rivals throughout the race to edge his way forward and be placed second with a handful of laps remaining.  With clear air in front of him Mawson set the fastest lap of the race and closed in on race leader Mick Schumacher, who started sixth, but was unable to mount a challenge for the lead before the chequered flag flew.

“It has pretty much been the perfect start to the Championship.  Two pole positions after qualifying, two race wins and a second placing,” said Mawson.

“The reverse-grid race is always an interesting one but I was feeling confident going into the race and was patient during the early laps to ensure that I didn’t get caught up in any incidents.  When I got into second Mick had a three second lead, I managed to close the gap but just ran out of laps to challenge for the win.

“Our pace was great all weekend and I’m very happy to come away with three podium finishes and the lead in the Championship.”

Mawson now leads the Championship on 68 points, 19 clear of Schumacher in second with Kim Luis Schramm third on 44.

The next race in the schedule will be held at the Sachsenring on April 29 – May 1.