Last weekend marked Benjamin Mazatis's finale. The final race weekend of the 2015 season in ADAC Formula 4 was on the agenda. The Bruckmühl driver got the weekend off to a positive start from ninth place in his qualifying group. However, several incidents during the races caused the kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport driver to fall back. Despite this, the rookie fought his way into the top 20 in the large field with strong recovery drives.
Friday evening's qualifying session was a real challenge and ended in some confusion. Tell me, what happened?
I was in the second group, which didn't head out onto the track until 6:10 PM. As a result, visibility was extremely difficult. It was already quite dark approaching the first corner, while I had to ride directly into the setting sun towards the Mercedes grandstand and the Motodrom. The drivers in front of me, and indeed myself, were sometimes a metre away from the apex of the full-throttle corner because we couldn't see where the entry was. And then the confusion began. My display showed a different time than the timing monitor. Fortunately, we addressed this immediately, and the time was subsequently corrected in my favour. Thus, I finished ninth in my group.
Your starting position, however, was not translated into a good result due to a mishap during the race. How did that happen?
At first, it went very well, the car only had a slight tendency to understeer. In lap four, however, it got really tight. We were four in the hairpin and the driver to my left didn't see me. It was very tight and none of us could disappear into thin air. Unfortunately, after the contact, my front left suspension was bent and there was no chance to continue. In the second race, it was similarly difficult. I picked up a puncture at the start. Consequently, the car didn't brake in the hairpin, of course, and I didn't get through properly. We pitted and changed the tyre. The result was 35th place. Fortunately, the Safety Car came out on that lap, so I was able to rejoin the field straight away. I had some nice overtakes, worked my way forward twelve positions and finally finished in 23rd place.
In the final race of the season on Sunday, you put on another similar chase.
Due to my failure in the first race, I had to start the third race from 30th place on the grid. In the end, I finished 19th, thus gaining eleven positions. Even more would have been possible, as I got through wonderfully at the start. Unfortunately, the car in front of me didn't get away well at the restart after a safety car period, and I lost all my momentum. Overall, however, I am satisfied. The speed was good, and with so many safety car periods, more just wasn't possible.
On Saturday evening (3.10.) at 5:30 PM, a 30-minute TV report was broadcast on Bavarian Television, with you as one of the main people. What were the reactions from your circle of friends and family?
Of course, at that time I myself was right in the middle of the race and not in front of the television. My family at home, many friends and acquaintances naturally saw the contribution and were delighted. The programme turned out really well and I hope it reached many viewers.
How important is it for you as a young driver to receive an in-depth report on such a prestigious and well-known show as ‚Blickpunkt Sport‘?
It was something very special for me. I'm also pleased that my entire team behind the scenes had a voice and that my hard work away from the racetrack became visible to people. Naturally, through this high media presence, I'm also hoping to attract new sponsors. Racing is great fun and a challenge on the track. At the same time, every young racing driver needs partners who stand behind them, believe in them and support them.
So, eight exciting race weekends in ADAC Formula 4 are now behind you. What's your conclusion on the season?
I have learned a great deal and steadily improved. A big step was that I can now deliver a good time in the second or third lap. I also generally need significantly fewer laps to get up to speed on new tracks. My plan is to compete in ADAC Formula 4 again next season. This season was a learning year and in 2016 I will really go for it.