Championship - Rounds 1 and 2 - Hockenheim - Sensational double victory for Nicolas Hülkenberg.
Hockenheim. It was a weekend full of surprises in the Formula BMW ADAC Championship. Rookie Nicolas Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Josef Kaufmann Racing) - just 17 years of age, saw the chequered flag twice as victor. On Saturday he came out on top against Sébastien Buemi (CHE/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), and on Sunday against the Mexican Sergio Perez Mendoza (4speed Media). Chris van der Drift (NLD/Team Rosberg) secured third place twice.
"What a fantastic start! I'm overjoyed", rejoiced Nicolas Hülkenberg. In Hockenheim, the Formula BMW ADAC Junior, who drove go-karts for ten years, was competing in his first ever Formula BMW race. "My experience of driving go-karts in the rain really paid off on Sunday. I often competed in the Netherlands, and we used to have constant rain there", explained the Nordrhein-Westfale with an impish grin. Nicolas Hülkenberg is one of the drivers who are being sponsored by the ADAC and BMW. He'd already convinced the judges of his driving talent in three selection courses in the run-up to the Championship.
On Sunday, Sergio Perez Mendoza and Chris van der Drift fought an exciting battle for position two. The Mexican, who at 15-years-old was the youngest starter in the Formula BMW ADAC Championship, gave the 2004 Rookie champion no opportunity to overtake. "Chris really put me under pressure, but I had to defend my second position", said Sergio Perez Mendoza. The youngster was in a hurry after the podium ceremony: "I have to call my family in Mexico immediately. My father, Antonio, will be leaping in the air with joy."
BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen, also appeared impressed: "Our up-and-coming drivers showed a remarkable command of their vehicles in the rain. All in all, an excellent presentation from this new vintage." ADAC Sports President, Hermann Tomczyk, agreed with him: "It was an outstanding season curtain-raiser. I am fascinated at the enthusiasm of the young drivers. What pleases me the most is that new talents turn up and offer their services time and again."
In an international starter field of 26 drivers from 13 nations, Bobinger Marco Holzer (AM-Holzer Rennsport) drove ahead of Sébastien Buemi (CHE/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg) and Benjamin Leuchter (Duisburg/Team Lauderbach Motorsport) to position four.
2nd race, positions:1. Nicolas Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Josef Kaufmann Racing), 2. Sergio Perez Mendoza (MEX/4speed Media), 3. Chris van der Drift (NLD/Team Rosberg), 4. Marco Holzer (Bobingen/AM-Holzer Rennsport), 5. Sébastien Buemi (CHE/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), 6. Benjamin Leuchter (Duisburg/Team Lauderbach Motorsport), 7. Joao Urbano (POR/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), 8. Natacha Gachnang (CHE/Josef Kaufmann Racing), 9. Fabio Onidi (ITA/Eifelland Racing), 10. Henri Karjalainen (FIN/Team Rosberg), 11. Jonathan Summerton (USA/Team Rosberg), 12. Tobias Hegewald (Waldbreitbach/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), 13. Tim Sandtler (Bochum/Mamerow Racing), 14. Stefano Coletti (MCO/Eifelland Racing), 15. Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA/AM-Holzer Rennsport), 16. Martin Ragginger (Aut/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), 17. Christian Vietoris (Lissendorf/Eifelland Racing), 18. Dominik Wasem (Seiboldsdorf/HBR Motorsport), 19. Mika Mäki (FIN/Mika Mäki), 20. Andzej Dzikevic (LTU/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), 21. Jens Höing (Berlin/Team Rosberg), 22. Marco Idili (NLD/HBR Motorsport), 23. Johnny Cecotto jun. (München/Team Lauderbach Motorsport), 24. Jiri Micanek jr. (CZE/Czech National Team). Not rated: Markus Niemelä (FIN/Team Rosberg), Nick de Bruijn (NLD/Josef Kaufmann Racing).
2nd race, positions Rookie Championship:1. Nicolas Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Josef Kaufmann Racing), 2. Sergio Perez Mendoza (MEX/4speed Media), 3. Tobias Hegewald (Waldbreitbach/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), 4. Stefano Coletti (MCO/Eifelland Racing), 5. Martin Ragginger (Aut/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), 6. Christian Vietoris (Lissendorf/Eifelland Racing), 7. Mika Mäki (FIN/Mika Mäki), 8. Jens Höing (Berlin/Team Rosberg), 9. Marco Idili (NLD/HBR Motorsport), 10. Johnny Cecotto jun. (München/Team Lauderbach Motorsport).Not rated: Nick de Bruijn (NLD/Josef Kaufmann Racing).
Championship situation after 2 of 20 races:1. Nicolas Hülkenberg (40), 2. Chris van der Drift (24), 3. Sébastien Buemi (23), 4. Benjamin Leuchter (16), 5. Sergio Perez Mendoza (15), 6. Marco Holzer (12), 7. Joao Urbano (12), 8. Nick de Bruijn (6), 9. Fabio Onidi (5), 10. Stefano Coletti (4), 11. Natacha Gachnang (3),12. Henri Karjalainen (1), 13. Markus Niemelä (1).
Points situation, Rookie Championship:1. Nicolas Hülkenberg (40), 2. Sergio Perez Mendoza (25), 3. Stefano Coletti (22), 4. Tobias Hegewald (18), 5. Nick de Bruijn (15), 6. Martin Ragginger (14), 7. Christian Vietoris (8), 8. Mika Mäki (4), 9. Johnny Cecotto jun. (4), 10. Marco Idili (3), 11. Jens Höing (2).
