Joey Mawson (20, Australia, Van Amersfoort Racing) is the new champion in the second season of ADAC Formula 4. The Australian won the 22nd race of the campaign on Saturday in the grand finale at Hockenheim. After his ninth win of the season and with two races still to go, Mawson had 349 points on the board, 56 more than his main rival Mick Schumacher (17, Germany, Prema Powerteam). The son of record Formula 1 championship winner Michael Schumacher put in a strong performance to finish in sixth place after starting from 23rd, but this was not enough to keep his title chances alive.

Mawson was overjoyed: "It's an amazing feeling, simply the best. It still hasn't quite sunk in. I suppose it will take a few days. I certainly feel that a lot of pressure has come off. My team kept quiet about me being in line for the title for the entire race. I just blanked out what was going on behind me. It was only when I crossed the finish line that my team told me it was enough."

The Australian showed tremendous composure, just as he had throughout the season. Having started from second place, he closed the gap on ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Mike David Ortmann (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) within a couple of laps and soon got past. Watched by his mother who had made the long journey from Down Under for the grand finale, he then pressed home his advantage with determination. Finishing behind Mawson were Ortmann and Schumacher's teammate Juri Vips (16, Estonia, Prema Powerteam) who lifted the Best Rookie trophy.

There was a suspicion that 2016 would be Joey Mawson's (20, Australia, Van Amersfoort Racing) year back in April when the 20-year-old took two wins and a second place during the opener of ADAC Formula 4's second season at Oschersleben. Mawson left Oschersleben as overall leader and kept the lead to the end of the season.

Ten wins in 23 races, six more podiums, and only four races without any points to show for his efforts, it was this consistency that made Mawson stand out from his fellow competitors in his second year in the ADAC Formula 4.

The battle with his friend and rival, Mick Schumacher (17, Germany, Prema Powerteam), was the abiding feature of the season. Racing between the two former Van Amersfoort team-mates was always close, but fair and sportsmanlike. Championship runner-up Schumacher congratulated Mawson, shaking his hand and saying: "Well done, Joey. Congratulations on your title," adding with a chuckle, "Our battle will go on."

Mawson, who was third last year, is well thought of by the other drivers. "He definitely deserves it. The way he left me behind in the race here at Hockenheim was very impressive," was just one comment from Schumacher's team-mate, Juri Vips (16, Estonia, Prema Powerteam). ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Mike David Ortmann (16, Germany, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) also praised Mawson's performance. "The driver who racks up the most points during the year deserves to win," said Ortmann, "All in all, Joey was simply better."

Next year, Mawson would love to switch to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, of course, with his team Van Amersfoort, with which the 20-year-old has enjoyed the greatest success of his motor racing career to date. "I'm up for any challenge," said Mawson back in July. The 'champ' is supported by PODIUM, an investment company which is committed to the sponsorship of young Australian racing drivers.

For more information, visit the ADAC F4 website here.