Formula 4

FIA Formula 4, also called FIA F4, is an open-wheel racing car category intended for junior drivers. There is no global championship, but rather individual nations or regions can host their own championships in compliance with a universal set of rules and specifications.

Dome F110 on display in 2014

The category was created in March 2013[1] by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)—the International sanctioning and administrative body for motorsport— after approval by the World Motor Sport Council as an entry-level category for young drivers, bridging the gap between karting and Formula 3. The series is a part of the FIA Global Pathway. Former Formula One driver Gerhard Berger was appointed as the FIA Single-Seater Commission president to oversee the creation of the category[2] as a response to declining interest in national Formula 3 championships due to rising costs and alternate pathways to Formula One such as the then Formula Renault and GP2 and GP3 Series, which had seen several national Formula 3 championships discontinued. In the place of the expensive categories, a number of separate categories running under the Formula 4 name had been created, for example the British based the former BRDC Formula 4. There was no commonality between the cars from country to country..

Initially, these Formula 4 championships started in 2014 as a single-make category before the regulations were opened up to multiple chassis and engine manufacturers. Each championship uses a single make of engine, with the regulations mandating a 1,600 cc (1.6 L) capacity and capping the maximum power output at 160 bhp (119.3 kW), higher than Formula Ford and lower than Formula Renault. The engines are equalised so that no one Formula 4 championship is faster than the others, with the long-term intention being to bring the cost down to under €100,000 per year to compete.

Homologated chassis manufacturers

To become eligible for FIA Formula 4, the chassis must meet the FIA homologation requirements respecting technical and commercial regulations. Four chassis manufacturers have been approved by the FIA:[3] Tatuus, Mygale, Dome and Ligier.

  • Tatuus F4-T014 (2014– )
    Tatuus F4-T014 (2014– )
  • Dome F110 (2015– )
    Dome F110 (2015– )
  • Mygale M14-F4 (2015– )
    Mygale M14-F4 (2015– )
  • Ligier JS F4 (2016– )
    Ligier JS F4 (2016– )
  • Tatuus F4-T421 (2021– )
    Tatuus F4-T421 (2021– )
  • Mygale M21-F4 (2022– )
    Mygale M21-F4 (2022– )

Homologated engines
Toyota 3ZR engine for the Japanese championship

To become an eligible FIA Formula 4 engine, the engine must meet the homologation requirements. According to the homologation requirements a FIA Formula 4 engine must last at least 10,000 km and have a maximum purchasing price of €9,500.[4] According to the FIA Formula 4 technical regulations only four cylinder engines are allowed. Both normally aspirated and turbocharged engines are permitted. The power output has been capped at 160 bhp. The engine displacement is unlimited.[5] Currently six engines are homologated for use in the FIA Formula 4.[3]

Manufacturer Abarth Ford Geely Honda Renault TOM's-Toyota
Engine name 1.4L FTJ 1.6L EcoBoost G-Power JLD-4G20 Honda K20 C2 2.0L F4R 3ZR
Engine type inline 4 inline 4 inline 4 inline 4 inline 4 inline 4
Displacement 1,400cc 1,600cc 2,000cc 2,000cc 2,000cc 2,000cc
Valvetrain DOHC CVVT DOHC VVT DOHC VVT DOHC
Engine management Magneti Marelli Life Racing F88GDI4 GEMS Honda GDi80 D[6] Life Racing F88RS
Lubrication Dry sump Dry sump
Cooling Water and air cooler Water and air cooler Water and air cooler
Transmission Sequential Sadev six speed Sequential Sadev six speed Sequential Sadev six speed Sequential Sadev six speed Sequential Sadev six speed Sequential Toda Racing six speed
Fuel Panta Racing Fuel Sunoco

Active FIA-sanctioned championships

These championships are held to Formula 4 regulations and approved by the FIA as the national Formula 4 series.[7] Drivers participating in these series can receive FIA Super Licence points, which are required to drive in Formula One. For a series to be eligible for Super Licence points, a season must be held over at least 5 events at a minimum of 3 circuits, according to FIA Appendix L.[8]

YearsNameCountry/RegionChassisEngineNote
2014–presentItalian F4 Championship ItalyTatuus F4-T014 (2014–2021)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2022)		Abarth 414TF 1.4LReplaces Formula Abarth
2015–presentF4 Japanese Championship JapanDome F110TOM'S-Toyota 2.0LOrganised by GT–Association to host the Super GT. There is another JAF Japan Formula 4, organised by Japanese ASN JAF.
F4 British Championship[9] United KingdomMygale M14-F4 (2015–2021)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2022)		Ford 1.6L EcoBoost (2015–2021)
Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2022)		Replaces the British Formula Ford Championship
F4 Chinese Championship ChinaMygale M14-F4 (2015-2023)
Mygale M21-F4 (2024-)		 Geely G-Power JLD-4G20 (2.0L)Organised by Narcar International Racing Development Co., Ltd. to host the China Formula Grand Prix.
NACAM Formula 4 Championship[10][11] MexicoMygale M14-F4Ford 1.6L EcoBoostNewly established series by Mexican ASN — OMDAI.
2016–present F4 Spanish Championship SpainTatuus F4-T014 (2016–2021)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2022)		Abarth 414TF 1.4LNewly established series by Spanish ASN — RFEDA and Koiranen GP.[12]
Formula 4 United States Championship[13] United StatesLigier JS F4Honda K20 C2 (2.0L)Organised by SCCA Pro Racing (Sports Car Club of America) and United States ASN — ACCUS.)
Formula 4 UAE Championship[14] United Arab EmiratesTatuus F4-T014 (2016–2021)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2022)		Abarth 414TF 1.4LOrganised by Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates and AUH Motorsports Dubai.
2017–presentF4 Danish Championship[15] DenmarkMygale M14-F4Renault F4R (2.0L)Organised by Dansk Automobil Sports Union.
2018–presentF4 French Championship[16][17] FranceMygale M14-F4 (2018–2021)
Mygale M21-F4 (2022–)		Renault F4R (2.0L) (2018–2019)
Renault HR13 (1.3L) (2020–2021)
Alpine (2022–)		Replaces the previous French F4 Championship which was a Formula Renault 1.6 series. Organised by Fédération Française du Sport Automobile.
2022–present F4 Brazilian Championship[18] BrazilTatuus F4-T421Abarth 414TF 1.4LOrganized by Brazilian Auto Racing Confederation and Vicar, the Stock Car Pro Series promotor.
2023–presentF4 Indian Championship IndiaMygale M21-F4Alpine 1.3L Turbocharged EngineSupports the Formula Regional Indian Championship and the Indian Racing League.
Formula 4 CEZ Championship[19] Austria
 Croatia
 Czechia
 Hungary
 Poland
 Slovakia		Tatuus F4-T421Abarth 414TF 1.4LOrganized by the Automobile Club of the Czech Republic and Křenek Motorsport, the ESET V4 Cup Series promotor.
F1 AcademyInternationalTatuus F4-T421Autotecnica 414TF 1.4LAll-female racing series organized by Formula One.
Euro 4 Championship[20]  Italy
 Spain		 Tatuus F4-T421 Autotecnica 414TF 1.4L

Other Formula 4 championships

Formula Academy Finland

Formula Academy Finland is a racing series based in Finland. Its first season was 2018. Formula Academy Finland uses same Tatuus-Abarth FIA Formula 4 car as ADAC Formula 4, Italian Formula 4 Championship and several other series. The series, however, is not approved by the FIA. There are plans to apply for Finnish Championship status for 2019 season. The series is organized by Koiranen GP. [21][22] More recently as of 2020, the series has run alongside older F3 chassis as a part of the Finnish Championship Series' category Formula Open Finland.[23]

Formula Pro USA Western Championships

The FPU Western Championships take place at west coast tracks in the United States. It is a feeder series to the FIA recognized United States F4 Championship, and utilizes the identical chassis, engine, and tire package.

Fórmula Academy Sudamericana

The Fórmula Academy Sudamericana (Portuguese: Fórmula Academy Sul-Americana), previously known as Fórmula 4 Sudamericana, is a Formula 4 racing class that debuted in 2014. The class uses the same Signatech chassis and Fiat engines used previously in the Brazilian-based Formula Future Fiat.

JAF Japan Formula 4

Japan Formula 4 is a formula racing series in Japan. The series was founded in 1993 by the Japan Automobile Federation as a class between the FJ1600 series and the All-Japan Formula Three Championship. Japanese Formula 4 is an open formula, where competitors can choose the chassis and engine manufacturers.

Canada CASC Formula 4 / F4

This is based on a non-FIA formulae, instead using 750cc motorcycle engines as power plants. Chassis are typically locally produced such as Xpit and Gamma and cars are fueled by methanol. Popular in the CASC Ontario region at a club level only since 1974.

FIA Central European Zone Championship / Drexler Formel 4 Cup

Although it's an FIA zone championship, the single-seater races in the FIA CEZ Championship have a division for Formula 4 cars, but they are not part of the FIA ladder. The races are co-organized with the Austrian, Czech and Hungarian national championships, as well as the Italian Topjet F2000 Trophy and Austrian Drexler AFR Pokale, the latter allowing cars of similar performance to FIA cars in its F4 division, such as Formula BMW, Czech F1400 and ADAC Formel Masters.[24]

USF Juniors

Organised by Andersen Promotions, the promoter of the Road to Indy USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000 for the United States Auto Club, the USF Juniors series for 14 and 15-year old drivers transitioning from karts will initially use the Ligier JS4 currently used by United States Formula 4 with the homologated Honda engine provided by the Road to Indy spec engine builder (which is different from the US F4 championship, where the engines come from Honda itself), before switching to the Tatuus USF-22, a variant of the Tatuus F4 chassis with the Mazda MZR engine, in 2023. Unlike the Hankook tyres for North American series, the USAC series will have tyres provided by Continental AG. This series will not be part of the FIA ladder and instead will be feed to the Road to Indy ladder, with six meetings, one of which will be an NTT IndyCar Series meeting, and also events at a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series round, Road to Indy Summit training, and the winner earning a funded drive in the next season's USF2000 championship.[25]

GB4 Championship

Organized by MSV in the collaboration with British Racing Drivers' Club. The GB4 Championship races alongside GB3 Championship during the British GT Championship events and acts as its feeder series and requires lower financial contribution than F4 British Championship certified by FIA. It uses Tatuus F4 T-014 chassis, Abarth 414TF 1.4L engine and Pirelli tires.[26] Despite using the same package as the most continental European Formula 4 championships prior 2022, only one national F4 series can be recognized by FIA, thus it is ineligible for the Super License points.

Fórmula 4 Chile

Organised by Campeonato Nacional de Carreras Federado, the series uses the Tatuus FA010 chassis from Formula Abarth, one of the predecessors of the Formula 4 car.

Former Formula 4 championships

ADAC Formula 4 Championship

The ADAC Formula 4 Championship was held from 2015 to 2022. On 3 December 2022, ADAC announced that ADAC Formula 4 would not be organized for the 2023 season, with the focus on placing the German junior drivers in the French F4 Championship instead.[27] The main reason for the decision was the low number of participating drivers due to the high costs compared to other Formula 4 championships.[28]

F4 Argentina Championship

The F4 Argentina Championship was held in 2021.

Australian Formula 4 Championship

The Australian Formula 4 Championship was held from 2015 to 2019 before its discontinuation due to a lack of entries.[29]

SMP F4 Championship

The SMP F4 Championship was held from 2016 to 2019 before losing its FIA certification.

Formula 4 South East Asia Championship

The Formula 4 South East Asia Championship was held from 2015 to 2019. The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with plans to announce a shortened race calendar before being called off.[30][31]

BRDC Formula 4 Championship

The BRDC Formula 4 Championship was an entry level motorsport series based in the United Kingdom which began in 2013. Run by the British Racing Drivers' Club and MotorSport Vision, the series used identical cars built by Ralph Firman Racing and engines from Ford, before switching to FIA Formula 4 regulations in 2015, using the Tatuus F4–T014 chassis. Although run to the FIA's regulations, it was not recognised by the FIA as an official Formula 4 championship. In 2016, the series was upgraded and renamed the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.

See also

References
  1. "Formula 4 certified by FIA". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 2015-03-31. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  2. O'Leary, Ben Anderson and Jamie. "FIA reveals Formula 4 plan". autosport.com.
  3. "FIA F4 registered manufacturers" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.
  4. "FIA Formula 4 Homologation Regulations" (PDF). FIA. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  5. "FIA 2014 Formula 4 Technical Regulations" (PDF). FIA. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  6. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2016-08-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Formula 4 Championships". fia.com. 31 March 2015.
  8. "Ticktum F1 superlicence bid thwarted by eligibility rule". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  9. "Britishformulaford.co.uk". Archived from the original on 2014-10-12. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
  10. "Launch Formula 4 FIA Mygale in Mexico" (PDF). mygale-cars.com. Mygale. July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  11. Allen, Peter (28 October 2015). "Mexican FIA Formula 4 series to launch on Formula 1 grand prix bill". Autosport. Haymarket. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  12. Jackson, Connor (30 September 2015). "KOIRANEN GP ANNOUNCED AS PROMOTERS OF NEW SPANISH F4 CHAMPIONSHIP". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  13. "FIA Formula 4 revealed for North America". nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  14. "ATCUAE and AUH Motorsport announce Formula 4 championship". 14 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  15. "Ny formel klasse i dansk motorsport" [New formula class in danish motorsport] (in Danish). 12 September 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  16. "Le Championnat de France F4 se dote de la F4 FIA pour 2018" [French F4 Championship goes FIA F4 for 2018] (in French). 23 August 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  17. "7th FIA Formula 4 Championship for Mygale!". 24 August 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  18. "Vicar announces F4 Brazilian Championship Certified by FIA". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 13 November 2021.
  19. staff, AR1. "New Formula 4 racing series for Central and Eastern Europe – AutoRacing1.com". Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  20. "EURO 4 CHAMPIONSHIP, THE NEW FORMULA 4 SERIES KICKS OFF AT MUGELLO CIRCUIT". Automobile Club d'Italia. 4 July 2023.
  21. Stubin, Teemu (11 January 2018). "Täältäkö tulevat uudet suomalaiset F1-tähdet? Suomeen perustetaan uusi formulasarja" (in Finnish). Iltalehti. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  22. Wood, Elliot (16 June 2018). "Finns set the score in first Formula Academy Finland event at Ahvenisto". Formula Scout. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  23. "Formula Open Finland yhdistää formulaluokat Suomessa" (in Finnish). Formula Academy Finland. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  24. "Announcement For Drexler-Automotive Formula Cup 2021" (PDF). www.afr-pokale.com/en. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  25. "Meet USF Juniors, the newest entry-level feeder series in the United States". Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  26. "MSV announces new GB4 Championship for 2022". www.gb-4.net. 7 September 2021.
  27. "Der ADAC stellt die Nachwuchsförderung im Formelsport neu auf". ADAC Formula 4. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  28. "Ende nach acht Jahren: ADAC schreibt 2023 keine Formel 4 aus". Motorsport-Total. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  29. "Australian Formula 4 to be axed after 2019". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
  30. "Formula 4 SEA on track for 2020 start". The Sun (Malaysia). 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  31. "Formula 4 South East Asia to reveal return plans next month". Formula Scout. 2021-02-28. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
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