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Formula 4

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For Yugoslav hard rock band, see Formula 4 (band).
Dome F110 on display in 2014

FIA Formula 4 (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.

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 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.

In practice, costs for competitors considerably exceed this goal; the cost of participating in the 2022 French Formula 4 series (including all equipment) was €118,000, excluding tax.[3] Costs in other F4 championships can be considerably higher, with one estimate of the costs of a realistic attempt at the now-defunct German F4 series championship in excess of €350,000.[4]

Homologated chassis manufacturers

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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:[5] Tatuus, Mygale, Dome and Ligier.

First generation chassis

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  • Tatuus F4-T014 (2014–2021)
    Tatuus F4-T014 (2014–2021)
  • Dome F110 (2015–2023)
    Dome F110 (2015–2023)
  • Mygale M14-F4 (2015–2023)
    Mygale M14-F4 (2015–2023)
  • Ligier JS F4 (2016–2023)
    Ligier JS F4 (2016–2023)

Second generation chassis

[edit]

Homologated engines

[edit]
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 purchase price of €14000.[6] According to the FIA Formula 4 technical regulations only four cylinder engines are allowed. Both normally aspirated and turbocharged engines are permitted, with an absolute maximum power output of 140 kW. The engine displacement is unlimited.[7] Currently seven engines are homologated for use in the FIA Formula 4.[5]

Manufacturer Abarth Ford Geely Honda Renault TOM's-Toyota Ligier
Engine name 1.4L FTJ 1.6L EcoBoost G-Power JLD-4G20 Honda K20C2 2.0L F4R 3ZR Ligier Storm V4
Engine type inline 4 inline 4 inline 4 inline 4 inline 4 inline 4 V4
Displacement 1,400cc 1,600cc 2,000cc 2,000cc 2,000cc 2,000cc 1650cc
Valvetrain DOHC CVVT DOHC i-VTEC DOHC VVT DOHC VVT DOHC
Engine management Magneti Marelli Life Racing F88GDI4 GEMS Honda GDi80 D[8] Life Racing F88RS
Lubrication Dry sump 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 Sequential Sadev six speed (SLR75)
Fuel Panta Racing Fuel Sunoco

Performance

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Formula 4 is the first step out of karting on the FIA Global Pathway, and by design has the least performance of any of the cars in it.

Compared to road-legal supercars, Formula 4 cars are less accelerative and have a much lower top speed of approximately 240 km/h; most modern supercars are capable of in excess of 300 km/h. The F4 cars have far superior braking and cornering capabilities, particularly in high-speed corners where the aerodynamic downforce of the Formula 4 cars has the most effect.[9]

According to official information from the F1 Academy, the Tatuus race car (virtually identical to the one used in some F4 series) has a peak lateral cornering acceleration of about 2.0g,[10] far in excess of a typical (non-sporting) road car which peaks at less than 1g, but considerably less than Formula 3 cars (which peak around 2.5g).

To give some idea of the gap between F4 and F1 performance levels, the fastest qualifying lap for a 2023 F4 round at the Silverstone GP circuit was 2:01.651;[11] the pole lap in the 2024 British Grand Prix in an F1 car was 1:25.819.

However, F4 cars still lap considerably faster than most production-derived racing categories. The F4 pole time is about 2 seconds faster than the Porsche Carrera Cup lap record and about 10 seconds faster than the TCR Touring Car lap record.

Active FIA-sanctioned championships

[edit]

FIA Motorsport Games

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A Formula 4 race forms part of the FIA Motorsport Games, a biennial event featuring a variety of motorsport disciplines including karting, drifting, rallying, and e-sports as well as circuit racing.[12]

FIA-sanctioned national/regional championships

[edit]

As of 2025, the FIA recognises thirteen F4 championships.[13] These championships are held to Formula 4 regulations and approved by the FIA as the national Formula 4 series.[14] 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 five events at a minimum of three circuits, according to FIA Appendix L.[15] While titled national series, some series are contested at tracks in multiple countries.

Years Name Country/Region Chassis Engine Note
2014–present Italian F4 Championship[16]  Italy Tatuus F4-T014 (2014–2021)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2022–present)		 Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2014–present) Replaced Formula Abarth.
2015–present F4 Japanese Championship[17]  Japan Dome F110 (2014–2023)
Toray Carbon Magic MCS4-24 (2024-)		 TOM'S-Toyota 2.0L (2015–present) Organised by GT–Association to support Super GT.
F4 British Championship[18]  United Kingdom Mygale M14-F4 (2015–2021)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2022–present)		 Ford 1.6L EcoBoost (2015–2021)
Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2022–present)		 Replaced the British Formula Ford Championship.
F4 Chinese Championship[19]  China Mygale M14-F4 (2015–2023)
Mygale M21-F4 (2024-) 		Geely G-Power JLD-4G20 (2.0L) (2015–present) Organised by Narcar International Racing Development Co., Ltd. to host the China Formula Grand Prix.
NACAM Formula 4 Championship[20][21]  Mexico Mygale M14-F4 (2015–2023)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2024-)		 Ford 1.6L EcoBoost (2015–2023)
Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2024-)		 Sanctioned by Mexican ASN — OMDAI, organised by local motorsport promoters Copa NotiAuto and the Mexican Federation of Competitive Motorsport (FEMADAC).
2016–present F4 Spanish Championship[22]  Spain Tatuus F4-T014 (2016–2021)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2022–present)		 Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2016–present) Established by the Spanish ASN — RFEDA and Koiranen GP.[23] For the 2025 season, a winter series was created, known as Eurocup-4 SWC.[24]
Formula 4 United States Championship[25]  United States Ligier JS F4 (2016–2023)
Ligier JS F422 (2024-)		 Honda K20C2 (2.0L) (2016–2023)
Ligier Storm (2024-)		 Organised by SCCA Pro Racing (Sports Car Club of America) and United States ASN — ACCUS.
Formula 4 South East Asia Championship[26]  Malaysia
Southeast Asia 		Mygale M14-F4 (2016–2019)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2023,2025-) 		Renault F4R (2.0L) (2016–2019)
Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2023, 2025-) 		The inaugural season was held over 2016 and 2017. The COVID-19 Pandemic put a momentary stop to the championship in 2020, but in 2023, the championship was revived under a new promoter Top Speed Shanghai Ltd .
2018–present F4 French Championship[27][28]  France Mygale M14-F4 (2018–2021)
Mygale M21-F4 (2022–present)		 Renault F4R (2.0L) (2018–2019)
Renault HR13 (1.3L) (2020–2021)
Alpine (2022–present)		 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[29]  Brazil Tatuus F4-T421 (2022–present) Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2022–present) Organized by Brazilian Auto Racing Confederation and Vicar, the Stock Car Pro Series promotor.
2023–present F4 Indian Championship[30]  India Mygale M21-F4 (2023–present) Alpine 1.3L Turbocharged Engine (2023–present) Supports the Formula Regional Indian Championship and the Indian Racing League.
Formula 4 CEZ Championship[31]  Austria
 Croatia
 Czechia
 Hungary
 Poland
 Slovakia		 Tatuus F4-T421 (2023–present) Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2023–present) Organized by the Automobile Club of the Czech Republic and Křenek Motorsport, the ESET V4 Cup Series promotor.
2025 F4 Middle East Championship  United Arab Emirates
 Kuwait
 Saudi Arabia 		Tatuus F4-T421 (2025) Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2025) Expanded version of the Formula 4 UAE Championship.[32]
Formula 4 World Cup Macau Macau To be announced. To be annonced. An F4 category was added to the Macau Grand Prix for 2025.[33]

Active non-FIA-sanctioned championships

[edit]

There are a number of active championships that follow the current and former F4 specifications, but are not considered official F4 championships by the FIA.

Years Name Country/Region Chassis Engine Note
2015–2019, 2024–present AU4 Australian Championship  Australia Mygale M14-F4 (2015–2019, 2025–)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2024–) 		Ford 1.6L EcoBoost (2015–2019, 2025)
Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2024–) 		The CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship ran from 2015 to 2019. Revived by China-based Top Speed in 2024, the series added a Mygale M14-F4 class in 2025 and adopted the new name AU4 Australian Championship.[34]
2015–2019, 2025 SMP F4 Championship  Russia Tatuus F4-T014 (2015–2019)
Tatuus F4-T421 (2025–present) 		Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2015–2019, 2025–) The SMP F4 Championship was held from 2016 to 2019 before losing its FIA certification. In 2025, the series returned.[35]
2017–present Nordic 4 Championship[36]  Denmark Mygale M14-F4 (2017–present)
 Renault F4R (2.0L) (2017–present)
 Organised by Dansk Automobil Sports Union. From 2017 to 2023, the series was called Danish Formula 4 Championship. In 2024, the series was renamed to Nordic 4 and lost its FIA certification.
2022–present GB4 Championship[37]  United Kingdom Tatuus F4-T014 (2022–2024)
Tatuus MSV GB4-025 (2025–) 		Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2022–2024)
Mountune 2.0L (2025–) 		Organized by MSV in the collaboration with British Racing Drivers' Club. It requires lower financial contribution than F4 British Championship, which is certified by FIA.
2023–present Euro 4 Championship[38]  Europe Tatuus F4-T421 (2023–present) Autotecnica 414TF 1.4L (2023–present) Organized by ACI Sport and WSK Promotions. Renamed as E4 Championship prior to the 2025 season.
F1 Academy[39] International Tatuus F4-T421 (2023–present) Autotecnica 414TF 1.4L (2023–present) All-female racing series run by Formula One since 2023. Despite not being FIA-certified, it does award super licence points.
Formula Winter Series[40]  Spain Tatuus F4-T421 (2023–present) Autotecnica 414TF 1.4L (2023–present) Winter series held in Spain and Portugal.
2024–present Ligier Junior Formula Championship[41]  United States Ligier JS F416 Honda K20C1 Originally named the "Ligier JS F4 Series" in 2024, and was renamed for 2025. Feeder/development series to the F4 United States Championship.
2024 Formula Trophy UAE United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Tatuus F4-T421 (2024–present) Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2024–present) Organized by Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) and Top Speed. Spinoff of the Formula 4 UAE Championship.
2025 Formula 4 Thailand  Thailand Tatuus F4-T421 (2025) Abarth 414TF 1.4L (2025) Organized by Pakelo Lubricants Thailand.[42]

Former Formula 4 championships

[edit]

Canada CASC Formula 4

[edit]

CASC Formula 4 was based on a non-FIA formulae, instead using 750cc motorcycle engines. Chassis were typically locally produced such as Xpit and Gamma and the cars were fuelled by methanol. It was created in 1974 and was popular in the CASC Ontario region at club level only. It no longer holds its own championship, instead running as part of the Formula Libra category in the RaceOntario Championships.[43]

Formula Beat

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Formula Beat was created in 1993 as JAF Japan Formula 4, and was renamed in 2023. It continues to run but does not follow F4 specifications, with competitors allowed to use Formula 3 chassis as well.

BRDC Formula 4 Championship

[edit]

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, now known as GB3, which runs to Formula Regional specifications.[44]

Fórmula Academy Sudamericana

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The Fórmula Academy Sudamericana, previously known as Fórmula 4 Sudamericana, was a Formula 4 racing class that debuted in 2014. The class used the same Signatech chassis and Fiat engines used previously in the Brazilian-based Formula Future Fiat. The series folded after the 2019 season.

F4 Argentina Championship

[edit]

A single season of the F4 Argentina Championship was held in 2021.

ADAC Formula 4 Championship

[edit]

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.[45] The main reason for the decision was the low number of participating drivers due to the high costs compared to other Formula 4 championships.[46]

Formula Academy Finland

[edit]

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.[47][48] 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.[49]

Fórmula 4 Chile

[edit]

The series organized by the Campeonato Nacional de Carreras Federado uses the Tatuus FA010 chassis from the Formula Abarth, one of the predecessors of the Formula 4 car. The series was never created.

Formula 4 UAE Championship

[edit]

Formula 4 UAE Championship - United Arab Emirates series using Tatuus F4-T014 chassis from 2016 to 2021 and Tatuus F4-T421 from 2022 to 2024, powered by Abarth 414TF 1.4L engines since 2016, organized by the Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates and AUH Motorsports Dubai. In 2025, it was replaced by F4 Middle East Championship (F4 MEC).

F4 Saudi Arabian Championship

[edit]

F4 Saudi Arabian Championship was held in 2024. A 2025 edition being was announced, however no races were held.

References

[edit]
  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. ^ FFSA Academy. "The French F4 Championship 2022: A Unique Formula To Start With Single-Seaters (Presentation Dossier)" (PDF). FFSA Acacdeny. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  4. ^ Gascoigne, Roger (2023-01-23). "The factors that ended ADAC F4, and left much of German racing at risk". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  5. ^ a b "FIA F4 registered manufacturers" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.
  6. ^ "Regulations - F4". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  7. ^ "FIA 2014 Formula 4 Technical Regulations" (PDF). FIA. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  8. ^ "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)
  9. ^ Sutcliffe, Steve (21 June 2014). "Can Porsche's 911 Turbo S outrun a Formula 4 car?". Autocar (Video.). Retrieved 6 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "F1® Academy". F1® Academy. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
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  12. ^ Series, Feeder (2024-10-22). "FIA Motorsport Games: 2024 Formula 4 Cup guide". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  13. ^ "Single-seater pathway set for stellar 2025". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 2025-03-13. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  14. ^ "Formula 4 Championships". fia.com. 31 March 2015.
  15. ^ "Ticktum F1 superlicence bid thwarted by eligibility rule". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  16. ^ Anderson, Ben; O'Leary, Jamie (21 March 2013). "FIA reveals Formula 4 plan". Autosport. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  17. ^ "F4 JAPANESE CHAMPIONSHIPの指定タイヤがダンロップタイヤに決定" [Dunlop tires selected as designated tires for F4 JAPANESE CHAMPIONSHIP]. Super GT (in Japanese). 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014.
  18. ^ "Britishformulaford.co.uk". Archived from the original on 2014-10-12. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
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  20. ^ "Launch Formula 4 FIA Mygale in Mexico" (PDF). mygale-cars.com. Mygale. July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
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  23. ^ Jackson, Connor (30 September 2015). "KOIRANEN GP ANNOUNCED AS PROMOTERS OF NEW SPANISH F4 CHAMPIONSHIP". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  24. ^ Arroyo, Juan; Muschlien, Finjo (2024-09-30). "Exclusive: Two new winter single-seater series coming to Europe in 2025". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
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  26. ^ "Press Release: Renault F4SEA Engine Links Asian Drivers to F1". meritus.gp. 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-05-02. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
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  29. ^ "Vicar announces F4 Brazilian Championship Certified by FIA". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 13 November 2021.
  30. ^ Mishra, Aatish (2021-08-19). "Formula Regional Indian Championship announced, promises to unearth India's next Formula 1 driver". www.evoindia.com. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
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  33. ^ Wood, Ida (2025-05-08). "FIA creates Formula 4 World Cup for 2025 Macau GP support bill". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  34. ^ OBrien, Garry (2024-11-19). "Formula 4 confirmed for 2025, dates to be finalised". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  35. ^ "Официальный календарь - Формула 4 | SMP Karting" [Official Formula 4 competitions]. SMP Karting (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  36. ^ "Ny formel klasse i dansk motorsport" [New formula class in danish motorsport] (in Danish). 12 September 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  37. ^ Mackley, Stefan (7 September 2021). "New entry-level GB4 Championship to be launched in 2022". Autosport. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  38. ^ "EURO 4 CHAMPIONSHIP, THE NEW FORMULA 4 SERIES KICKS OFF AT MUGELLO CIRCUIT". Automobile Club d'Italia. 4 July 2023.
  39. ^ "F1 Academy: Formula 1 announces F1 Academy, a new all-female driver series for 2023 | Formula 1®". Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  40. ^ Wolff, Perceval (2022-12-14). "Formula Winter Series launches in Spain: 'Very cheap compared to F4 UAE'". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  41. ^ "Ligier JS F4 Series Rebranded, Will Premiere as Ligier Junior Formula Championship – Ligier Junior Formula Championship". 2025-03-13. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  42. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  43. ^ "Road Racing | CASC Ontario Region". www.casc.on.ca. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  44. ^ "GB3 - British F3 rebranded as GB3 Championship". GB3 Championship. 2021-08-02. Archived from the original on 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  45. ^ "Der ADAC stellt die Nachwuchsförderung im Formelsport neu auf". ADAC Formula 4. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  46. ^ "Ende nach acht Jahren: ADAC schreibt 2023 keine Formel 4 aus". Motorsport-Total. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  47. ^ Stubin, Teemu (11 January 2018). "Täältäkö tulevat uudet suomalaiset F1-tähdet? Suomeen perustetaan uusi formulasarja" (in Finnish). Iltalehti. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  48. ^ Wood, Elliot (16 June 2018). "Finns set the score in first Formula Academy Finland event at Ahvenisto". Formula Scout. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  49. ^ "Formula Open Finland yhdistää formulaluokat Suomessa" (in Finnish). Formula Academy Finland. 31 January 2020. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
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