Championship

FIA Formula 4 (history)

section:championship

FIA Formula 4 is an open-wheel racing category designed as an entry-level series for young drivers. Created in March 2013 by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), it bridges the gap between karting and Formula 3 as part of the FIA Global Pathway. The category was established in response to declining interest in national Formula 3 championships due to rising costs and the emergence of alternate pathways to Formula One. Initially, championships began in 2014 as single-make series before regulations were opened to multiple chassis and engine manufacturers.

Each Formula 4 championship utilizes a single make of engine, with a mandated 1,600 cc (1.6 L) capacity and a maximum power output of 160 bhp (119.3 kW). The intention was to bring the cost of competition down to under €100,000 per year, though in practice, costs often exceed this figure. The 2022 French Formula 4 series, including all equipment, cost €118,000 excluding tax, and estimates for the now-defunct German F4 series exceeded €350,000.

Four chassis manufacturers have been approved by the FIA: Tatuus, Mygale, Dome and Ligier. FIA Formula 4 engines must last at least 10,000 km and have a maximum purchase price of €14,000, and only four-cylinder engines are permitted, with a maximum power output of 140 kW.

Formula 4 cars are less accelerative and have a lower top speed—approximately 240 km/h—than modern road-legal supercars, which can exceed 300 km/h. However, F4 cars offer superior braking and cornering capabilities, particularly in high-speed corners due to aerodynamic downforce. A Tatuus race car, similar to those used in some F4 series, can achieve a peak lateral cornering acceleration of about 2.0g, exceeding typical road cars (less than 1g) but less than Formula 3 cars (around 2.5g). In 2023, the fastest qualifying lap for a Formula 4 round at Silverstone was 2:01.651, while the pole lap in the 2024 British Grand Prix in a Formula 1 car was 1:25.819. Despite this difference, F4 cars lap considerably faster than production-derived racing categories, being approximately 2 seconds faster than Porsche Carrera Cup lap records and 10 seconds faster than TCR Touring Car lap records.

As of 2025, the FIA recognizes thirteen F4 championships, offering drivers the opportunity to earn FIA Super Licence points required for Formula One participation. A season must be held over at least five events at a minimum of three circuits to be eligible for Super Licence points.

Several championships have existed outside of the FIA’s sanctioning. The Canada CASC Formula 4, based on a non-FIA formula with 750cc motorcycle engines, ran from 1974 as a club-level series in Ontario. Formula Beat, created in 1993 as JAF Japan Formula 4 and renamed in 2023, continues to run but does not follow F4 specifications, allowing Formula 3 chassis. The BRDC Formula 4 Championship, based in the United Kingdom from 2013 to 2016, was upgraded and renamed the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship (now GB3), running to Formula Regional specifications. The Fórmula Academy Sudamericana, previously known as Fórmula 4 Sudamericana, debuted in 2014 but folded after the 2019 season. A single season of the F4 Argentina Championship was held in 2021. The ADAC Formula 4 Championship ran from 2015 to 2022 before being discontinued due to high costs and low participation, with the focus shifting to the French F4 Championship. Formula Academy Finland, using Tatuus-Abarth FIA Formula 4 cars, is not FIA-approved and has recently run alongside older F3 chassis. Finally, the Fórmula 4 Chile series, using the Tatuus FA010 chassis, was never created.

A Formula 4 race is included as part of the FIA Motorsport Games, a biennial event featuring various motorsport disciplines.