Highlight: Reunion with DTM driver Maximilian Götz
A difficult weekend for Benjamin Mazatis
Benjamin Mazatis competed in the seventh race weekend of the ADAC Formula 4 in Oschersleben.
With a starting grid of 35 drivers, it's naturally important to always find the right gap for a clear lap and not get stuck in traffic.
Rain, dense fog, and bright sunshine – Benjamin Mazatis's vision wasn't clouded by them at the seventh ADAC Formula 4 race weekend in Oschersleben. As part of the DTM, the kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport driver fought tirelessly, showing good overtaking manoeuvres and strong duels.
In qualifying, all drivers started together in a single group for the first time. How difficult was it to hold your own on the track?
Benjamin Mazatis: With a starting grid of 35 drivers, it's naturally important to always find the right gap for a clear lap and not get stuck in traffic. I improved by another four tenths compared to practice. However, because I was struggling with oversteer and my competitors also improved their times, only starting positions 22 and 19 remained for the first two races. In Oschersleben, things are so incredibly close that just a few hundredths can decide two or three positions.
Good manoeuvring, although overtaking was difficult
Despite the problems in qualifying, you showed a strong comeback in the first race.
Benjamin Mazatis: Unfortunately, she started further back than I had calculated. I stayed put at the start and, although I reacted really well and only lost a little time, I was last. One of my teammates had similar problems, which is why a technical issue could also have been the cause. Then it was time to push on and make up the gap to the front. Despite a bit of understeer, I was really fast, but I would have needed a safety car period to close the gap – unfortunately, that didn't happen. The positive thing was: overtaking is really difficult in Oschersleben, and yet I managed some really good manoeuvres.
On Sunday, good manoeuvres were also your goal. Unfortunately, you didn't have much opportunity to do so.
Benjamin Mazatis: The second race was really annoying. The conditions were quite difficult because it wasn't really dry and not really wet - every corner was an unknown. Finding the right line was not easy. On the second lap, I was between two rivals and therefore couldn't brake on the ideal line. At the highest brake pressure everything was still okay, but at medium pressure my left front wheel stopped. I went straight into the gravel and the race was over. Before the third race, it was a long wait to see if there would even be a start. The crash barriers were damaged after an accident in the DTM and the lights only turned green for us at 18:30. It was important to stay focussed despite the long wait. The light drizzle and an end plate that had fallen off the front wing of my car without touching it added to the challenge. I started from 24th place and held my position until the finish line. Certainly not a dream result, but okay in these difficult conditions.
Before qualifying on Saturday, you were even a star in front of the camera. Please tell us a little about that... Benjamin Mazatis: The Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation is making an exciting report with me and two other drivers. It's intended to highlight not only the performance on the track but also the hard work behind the scenes. The team was on site in Oschersleben, and I got to explain my Formula 4 car in more detail. It felt a bit odd at first, but I quickly felt comfortable, just started talking and completely forgot about the camera. I'm very excited to see how the report will turn out in the end. The segment will be broadcast on Saturday, October 3rd. I am very grateful that such a large and well-known TV channel is giving me the opportunity to present myself as a person. It's incredibly important in motorsport to generate as much interest as possible, thereby attracting sponsors.
But on the weekend of the broadcast, you won't be on the sofa in front of the TV, but in Hockenheim at the season finale. Are you looking forward to the final spurt? Benjamin Mazatis: Absolutely! I haven't had the opportunity to test the ADAC Formula 4 at Hockenheim yet, but I see good chances of a great result. On the Thursday before the weekend, there's a joint test for all teams where we can fine-tune the setup for the conditions and the track. The circuit itself is superb and the Motodrom offers a unique stadium atmosphere. I can't wait to drive there for the first time with my car and see the enthusiastic spectators in the grandstands.
The Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation is filming an exciting one with me and two other drivers
Report.