Formula 4, a single-seater full of adrenaline

With Arthur, we decided to write articles only related to car racing until the 24 hours of Le Mans, a good idea don't you think?

Today, we are going to talk about a car or rather a category of car from the single-seater family: the Formula 4.

Max Reis at the wheel of his F4 n°28

Before going into details, we need to lay down the basics: in the world of single-seater racing (on circuit), you have the F4, the F3, the F2 and the F1 (in increasing order of power and difficulty of driving). You will have understood that the single-seater we are talking about today is the "entry point" to single-seater motor racing.

Louis Schelesser at the wheel of his F4 n°61

At the beginning of the XXIst century, the world of single-seater car racing is counting more and more championships (national and world): cars combining speed, lightness and power and allowing little by little the evolution of drivers from karting to F1!

Enzo Peugeot at the wheel of his F4 n°74

From the beginning of the 2010s, championships are gradually deserted because of the excessive cost: to give you an idea, in F3 there were only 15 entries for the 2011 season. And it is in 2013 that the FIA decides to create a new category more accessible in terms of cost (109,000 euros per season against 650,000 euros for the F3!) and open to younger drivers, you guessed it the F4.

In 2014, this new category is launched, and will allow young drivers to move from karting to F3.

Respectively Leonardo Megna n°3 and Andrei Duna n°19

Nowadays, this category is the talk of the town, if you follow some youtubers, you have undoubtedly heard about the GP Explorer?

If you don't know, it's basically a grand prix organized by the youtuber Squeezie at the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans in order to confront youtubers (22 on the starting grid) at the wheel of F4 Renault. A grand prix that ended with the victory of Sylvain Levy of the team NordVPN Vilebrequin. The second edition is expected on September 9, 2023.

The American Garrett Berry at the wheel of his F4 n°18

It is on the occasion of the Easter Cup of Nogaro, that we have the chance to see the F4 on the circuit every year.

A car which, despite being the most accessible of the competition cars, ensures efficiency and adrenaline rush!

The F4s (which you will see in the pictures) are made of a carbon fiber monocoque chassis (designed by European leader Mygale) and a

(designed by the European leader Mygale) and a Renault 1.3L Turbo TCE engine with direct injection and aluminum block (formerly 2L atmospheric developing 160hp on the first F4). The car weighs 570kg on the scale, a rocket on the track!

Tom Kalender at the wheel of his F4 #11 at the end of the straight (brakes heating up)

Photo credit: Ruben Cortes.

On the occasion of the Easter cups of Nogaro 2023 (which we attended with Arthur), 3 races of F4 took place (26 engaged), and ended by the victory of the French Evan Giltaire n°95 (1:28.218), then of the Spanish Pol Lopez n°5 (1:29.590) and finally by the Canadian Kevin Foster n°26 (1:28.384) A very nice show that was proposed by the pilots, congratulations to them, the show was there!

The three winners of the Easter weekend at the wheel of their beautiful car.

Hugo Cortes