ADAC Formula 4 has a big turnaround regarding drivers, like it should be in a rookie category.
The next batch for the 2018 season is slowly coming together.
18 year-old Joey Alders from the Netherlands has signed for Van Amersfoort Racing. Alders won the Rotax DD2 Championship in his home country in 2017, and already did his first tests for VAR back in December. He proved his pace from the very first moment. He will do plenty of real-life testing around various circuits in Europe prior to the season start, combined with many hours in the simulator at the teams base in Zeewolde.
Gianluca Petecof is new driver at Prema Powerteam. The 15 year old Brazilian is, just like teammate and country man Enzo Fittipaldi, a part of the Ferrari junior programme. Just like Alders, he has a background in the karting sport, with a pair of Top-6 finishes at the CIK-FIA World Championships.
Prema Powerteam has been battling with VAR for both ADAC Formula 4 Drivers and Teams Championships. The 2016 Drivers title went to Joey Mawson at VAR, while Juri Vips and Prema took it in 2017. Prema Powerteam has beaten VAR by a few points in both seasons, so there is little doubt that the rivalry will happen at the very top of the standings again this year.
The 2018 ADAC GT Masters season will start on 13-15 April in Oschersleben.