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.