Rain, a traditional Formula 1 circuit and Benjamin Mazatis. The kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport driver started the second half of his debut season in the ADAC Formula 4 at the Nürburgring last weekend - with success. The 17-year-old achieved his best result to date and showed fighting spirit and tireless commitment.
You seem even more motivated after the summer break and seem to be full of drive. Is there a reason for this?
I continued to work on myself over the summer break - both on my physical fitness and my mental strength. The right approach to the race weekends and working through the first half of the season were also a big topic during my visit to the McLaren Performance Academy, whose support squad I have been a part of for two years. I've made great progress here and I've already noticed that in the first few metres. There have also been a few changes in the team, which have had a very positive effect and give me additional motivation.
You proved your own impression with your best result of the season at the latest.
I immediately felt at home at the Nürburgring. Unlike my rivals, I didn't test here in the summer. Apart from a few experiences in the Formel ADAC last year, I arrived here with no previous knowledge. I finished eighth in my group in qualifying. The field was very close together and unfortunately I made a small mistake, otherwise an even better result would have been possible. But things went really well in the race. I got off to a good start and was able to hold my position at first. My speed was great, but unfortunately overtaking is not that easy at the Nürburgring. Nevertheless, I managed a few manoeuvres and in the end I achieved my best result so far with 16th place. I'm very happy with that, because the performance curve is clearly pointing upwards.
A similar result would have been possible in the second race. Why didn't it happen?
The car was running very well and I was really fast. Unfortunately, after a short time I felt a knock from behind from a competitor and slid onto the kerb. The car wasn't damaged by the incident and I did everything I could to keep going. I pulled and jolted, because giving up is never an option for me. Unfortunately, all my efforts went unrewarded. That was an extreme pity, because with this speed the result could have been really good.
The grand finale on Sunday was a rain dance - especially for you.
We certainly did! We really gambled before the third race and opted for a dry set-up. I even drove onto the grid with slick tyres. Then things got really hectic, because we had to put on wet tyres right before the start. At first I was a bit worried about whether it would work at all with our setup. The braking points had hardly changed, but my rear end kept breaking away. Shortly before the end of the race, I had the chance to overtake two of my rivals. It was precisely in this situation that my car suddenly went sideways again and I really had to fight and almost perform magic to keep it on the track. I ended up in 17th position and narrowly missed out on my best result of the season.
In just two weeks' time, you'll have your next chance of a really good result. What expectations do you have for the Sachsenring?
Forecasts are always difficult. The circuit is very technical, demanding and has some blind corners. As it is a motorbike track, we can drive over the kerbs - that can definitely be an advantage. I have never tested at the Sachsenring in ADAC Formula 4, but I will prepare well for it in the simulator. One thing is clear anyway: I always do my best!