Mick Schumacher produced a charge worthy of his famous father as fought back to claim ninth place, and victory in the rookie division, in his first single-seater race appearance.

After qualifying a disappointing 19th overall on Friday, the Van Amersfoort Racing driver improved by no fewer than ten places in the 18-lap race at Oschersleben, emerging as the best novice in the 35-strong field.

Schumacher also posted the fastest lap of the eleven rookies on show and took an early lead in the ADAC Formula 4 Rookie Cup, which will be awarded to the most successful newcomer to formula racing at the end of the season.

“Of course, I’m pleased that I caught up – it didn’t occur to me at first that I was best rookie!” he revealed later, “After yesterday’s qualifying and my grid position, I’m really satisfied.”

Although he followed that result with twelfth – and third in the rookie class – in race two early on Sunday morning, Schumacher will start the event’s third race from second place later in the day.

Marvin Dienst took the honour of becoming the first winner in ADAC Formula 4 and repeated the feat in race two, while Aron Ralf also has two podium finishes to his name after following second in race one with third on Sunday morning. Mattia Drudi and inaugural pole-setter Janneau Esmeijer have the other top three finishes so far.

Schumacher’s Van Amersfoort team-mate Harrison Newey, the 16-year old son of Red Bull F1 designer Adrian, finished a fine seventh in race one and followed that up with 13th, just behind Schumacher, on Sunday morning.