Joey Mawson wins at the Sachsenring

Joey Mawson crossing the line for victory in his PODIUM-backed Van Amersfoort Racing entry at the Sachsenring
Joey Mawson crossing the line for victory in his PODIUM-backed Van Amersfoort Racing entry at the Sachsenring

Australian Joey Mawson was victorious at the second round of the 2016 ADAC German Formula 4 Championship at the Sachsenring on Sunday.

The PODIUM-backed Van Amersfoort Racing driver secured a trio of podiums across the weekend’s three races to extend his lead in the championship standings to 35 points.

After qualifying fourth for the opening two races Mawson finished second in the opening 30-minute encounter before he was engaged in an intense battle with Mick Schumacher in the early laps of race two.

On the second lap Mawson was beside Schumacher when their wheels touched at high speed and Schumacher stayed in front.  Coming onto the straight Mawson was again beside his rival in the process of overtaking but the safety car was deployed just at that moment so the Australian had to slot back into second place.

Following the restart Mawson ran in close proximity to Schumacher, Mike Ortmann and Kim Schramm.  Late in the race Schramm spun allowing Ortmann to take the win from Schumacher and Mawson.

Starting from ninth in the reverse-top ten final race Mawson made up several positions with an aggressive start that moved him up four places by the time the safety car was deployed at the end of lap one.

When racing resumed Mawson moved up to fourth, then third on lap six, second on lap 11 and into the lead with a great overtaking manoeuvre on lap 15. The safety car was deployed shortly after,  when racing resumed the Australian pulled a big gap – but then the safety car was deployed again and the race ended under safety car with Mawson taking the win, his third of the year, ahead of Simo Laaksonen and Nicklas Nieslen.

“Winning that final race was very special.  It was a tough battle and I had to make the most of every opportunity, especially given the interruptions by the safety car,” said Mawson.

“I came into the weekend hoping to get some more podiums and I achieved that goal.  As an added bonus I have extended my lead in the championship.

“All weekend we continually improved the speed of my car, I struggled for pace a little bit in the first race but by the third race the guys at Van Amersfoort Racing had it on rails.

“The racing this weekend was very intense, we had some great battles at the front of the field and I’m pleased to have come away with such great results.”

Mawson now leads the Championship on 126 points, 35 clear of Schumacher in second with Mike Ortmann third on 71.  The Championship now takes a short break before returning at the Lausitzring on June 3-5.