Second generation Formula 4 car debuts in Abu Dhabi

  • gb
13.12.21

The FIA Formula 4 UAE Trophy hosted the global racing debut of the new second-generation F4 race car for the 2021/2022 season. Here's a recap of when the new car will be used across the globe.

With the announcement last year that the FIA’s new homologated Formula 4 cars would be introduced globally, F4UAE were F4 championship to host a race using the new generation of cars.

Graham Stoker, FIA Deputy President for Sport, said: “Formula 4 is the foundation stone of the FIA’s single-seater pyramid. Since their introduction in 2014, FIA-certified Formula 4 Championships have proven to be a major success with competitions staged in over 10 countries. The second-generation Formula 4 car places the emphasis on our commitment to new technology, safety and cost control. Formula 4 gives young drivers the world over the opportunity to demonstrate their talent at the outset of their single-seater journey.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization and FIA Vice President for Sport, said: “We are very proud that F4UAE will be the first F4 championship in the world to launch the new second-generation Tatuus F4 race car. Driver safety is our top priority, and it is a great opportunity for the championship and the United Arab Emirates to be a leader in driving technical advancement for the sport. After five very successful seasons, it is one of the best platforms for young talented drivers to start their racing careers and we look forward to welcoming a new era of F4 and growing motorsport in the region."

Craig Thompson, championship promoter, added: “The changes have been made with driver safety as the most important aspect of the technical development of the cars and it’s a great opportunity for us and also our teams to get to grips with these changes in advance of the European season.”

Entry list for the 2021 Formula 4 UAE Trophy:

What’s next for the second generation of Formula 4 cars ?

F4 UAE CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA

 

For what will be Formula 4 UAE Championship powered by Abarth’s sixth season since debuting in 2016, the upcoming year of racing welcomes the “second generation” T-421 Tatuus race car with increased onsite support from technical partners Tatuus and Autotecnica Motori.

 

The Formula 4 UAE Championship powered by Abarth has unveiled a complete 2021/2022 calendar after announcing the season would begin with a trophy round at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 last weekend.
 

After the Trophy Round run at Yas Marina Circuit last December 9-12, 2021, the five-round championship will begin for points on January 13-15, 2022 as a support to the Hankook 24 Hours of Dubai. This will be followed by shared events across both the Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina Circuit over a six-week period to conclude at the Abu Dhabi-based circuit on February 17-19, 2022.

 

“F4UAE started from very humble beginnings so it’s very satisfying to see the championship grow to what it is today. With the new Gen2 Tatuus race car making its debut, plus racing in front of the F1 teams, it’s going to be an extremely exciting season,” concluded Thompson.

 

F4UAE has also secured continued support from Hankook Tires as the official tyre partner for the forthcoming season. First welcomed to F4UAE for the 2017/18 season, Hankook will again supply the Ventus F200 slick tyres through the Hankook Middle East appointed dealer, Dragon Racing.

 

Governed by the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO), F4UAE launched in 2016 and has since welcomed 80 drivers from 41 countries and is the only FIA-sanctioned open-wheeler category in the Middle East. Past champions include Enzo Trulli (ITA), Francesco Pizzi (ITA), Matteo Nannini (ITA), Charles Weerts (BEL), and Jonathan Aberdein (ZAF).

 

Utilising the new second-generation Tatuus chassis with the Abarth Turbo engine for the UAE championship, the open-wheeler category allows new drivers extra seat time to become familiar with the unique purpose-built race cars, while teams are given the opportunity to test and refine their engineering and operations at international-standard circuits.

 

Contact the F4 UAE Championship organisation for any information regarding the 2022 season by phone +971 4 557 7908 or by email info@f4uae.com.

The 2021/22 F4UAE Championship is as follows:

 

NC: December 9-12, 2021 – Yas Marina Circuit (Non-championship)

Round 1: January 13-15, 2022 – Dubai Autodrome

Round 2: January 20-22, 2022 – Yas Marina Circuit

Round 3: February 3-5, 2022 – Dubai Autodrome

Round 4: February 10-12, 2022 – Dubai Autodrome

Round 5: February 17-19, 2022 – Yas Marina Circuit

 

F4 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA

Motorsport UK anounced that Tatuus and Abarth have been nominated F4 British Championship chassis and engine suppliers for 2022-24.

The conclusion of these key supply agreements is the next step in Motorsport UK’s plans for elevating the series following the governing body’s recent announcement that it will become the organiser of the F4 British Championship certified by FIA for the next three years.

 

The tenders were launched in May and attracted a number of proposals. Following a detailed evaluation Motorsport UK determined that Tatuus and Abarth represented the best package to support the introduction of the FIA’s second generation F4 car to the British championship from 2022.

Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK commented: “We are delighted to welcome Tatuus and Abarth to the F4 British Championship and look forward to the support they will provide to Motorsport UK’s ambitions for the series. Tatuus has grown into a world leader in the design and production of single-seater racing cars, in which the vast majority of all professional and Formula 1 drivers have progressed their careers. They are well-equipped with the latest technologies required to deliver a first-class chassis and powertrain well aligned with our vision for the series.

 

“The Tatuus-Abarth package is the most commonly used chassis-engine combination in the 10 other F4 championships around the world, potentially offering a greater pool of drivers the opportunity to test themselves against the cream of talent competing in the UK.

“These supply agreements bring to a conclusion the championship’s history of being powered by Ford engines and Motorsport UK would like to underline our appreciation for the immense contribution played by Ford Performance to the growth of the championship in the seven seasons since its inception, an important legacy that we respect and will seek to build upon.”

 

Motorsport UK’s vision is for a championship that attracts the leading teams and drivers with high-quality grids and the most competitive racing. The governing body will provide a highly visible promotional platform, which includes retaining the championship’s place on the British Touring Car Championship support package, with further rounds at key events under consideration to build the drivers’ circuit experience and the profile of the series.

 

Furthermore, Motorsport UK plans to forge strategic alliances with a number of stakeholders within the single-seater pathway to ensure the series offers drivers real prospects for progression to international series.

 

Contact the F4 British Championship organisation for any information regarding the 2022 season by email eve.lake-grange@motorsportuk.org.

 

F4 FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA

The new F4 FIA Mygale Generation 2 (FFSA Academy) © FFSA Academy

The F4 French Championship enters a new era in 2022 with the adoption of the new Second Generation FIA F4 car from the French manufacturer Mygale and major developments in terms of performance and safety.

 

​In 2022, the FFSA and Mygale pursue their collaboration, which began on the eve of the 2017 season. The new French F4 car is equipped with an Alpine engine prepared by Oreca, as well as a brand new turbo. The package allows significant performance gains compared to the first generation of Formula 4 car. This new version called M21-F4 features a carbon body in addition to major improvements for the driver’s safety.

 

In terms of sporting, the French F4 still offers French and foreign drivers a Championship directly managed by the Federation, fully integrated into the international points system and on an identical basis for all drivers. The latter benefit from the support and infrastructure of the FFSA Academy based in Le Mans.

From a technical point of view, all cars are operated in an equitable manner, with the support of the supervising team and mechanical students of the FFSA Academy, thus allowing all the drivers to compete equitably.

Financially speaking, the rates offered by the FFSA Academy to French and foreign pilots will favour accessibility by being the most competitive on the market in 2022.

 

“The F4 French Championship is the first step of our high-level policy on circuit, it has seen many renowned drivers evolve like Pierre Gasly. Operated through our Le Mans-based federal training centre, our single marker competition is unique. Only European championship where all drivers compete under the FFSA Academy’s common entity, it combines financial accessibility and sporting equity. For next season, the French F4 continues its momentum by adopting the new Second Generation FIA F4 Mygale cars, with a gain in performance but also increased safety.”Nicolas Deschaux, President of the FFSA.

“2022 will see the arrival of the Second Generation FIA F4 car. The federation has made the choice to invest in these new F4 cars from next year, on one hand to comply with the FIA regulations, in particular with new safety features such, and on the other hand to remain competitive on the European market. After testing the Mygale Renault Generation 2, it appears as much more efficient than the current one and should better prepare the drivers for the transition to the F3.” Christophe Lollier, National Technical Director of the FFSA.

Contact the FFSA Academy for any information regarding the 2022 F4 French Championship season by phone +33 (0)2 43 43 61 00 or by email contact@ffsaacademy.org.

 

Round 1 : April 16 – 18 Nogaro

Round 2 : May 06 – 08 Pau Ville

Round 3 : May 13 – 15 Magny-Cours

Round 4 : July 28 – 30 Spa Francorchamps

Round 5 : September 09 – 11 Lédenon

Round 6 : September 16 – 18 Valencia

Round 7 : October 14 – 16 Le Castellet

 

F4 SPANISH CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA

The Real Federación Española de Automovilismo (RFEDA) and TATUUS have reached a multi-year agreement whereby, from 2022, the Spanish Formula 4 Championship will run the second generation of the successful Italian single-seater christened TATUUS F4 T-021.

The Spanish Formula 4 Championship, throughout its six years of life, has established itself as one of the best F4 competitions in the world thanks to its exponential growth in each season.

Since its creation, the maxim has been to offer teams and drivers an attractive package in terms of car, circuits and weekend format, whose value for money would be attractive to young talents coming from karting.

Thus, after ratifying the new FIA regulations for the Formula 4 championships, the RFEDA confirms the Spanish championship as one of the benchmarks in the category by extending the relationship that began with TATUUS in 2016 and that, from next season, will be reinforced with the introduction of the new TATUUS F4 T-021 as the only official single-seater of the Spanish Formula 4 Championship.

In addition to multiple safety improvements in the monocoque structure or the driver’s seat, the TATUUS F4 T-021 will also introduce other new features such as an improved braking system, a lighter gearbox tailor-made for this chassis or a new steering wheel.

 

All this, together with a renewed data acquisition and Marelli software and the so far unpublished space for energy storage, will make the T-021 suitable for the hybridisation of its 1.4L engine prepared by Abarth and Autotecnica.

Therefore, the aforementioned updates will make the second generation of the TATUUS F4, once again, not only the benchmark for Formula 4 championships around the world, but also the basis for future single-seater in other competitions, as was the case with the first generation.

Manuel Aviño, President of the RFEDA, celebrates the agreement reached by highlighting the value that the competition has acquired based on its excellent reputation over the years.   “After consolidating its position as a leading F4 series, the Spanish Formula 4 Championship continues to evolve in terms of safety and organization, with news such as the one we are celebrating today. Thanks to the format adopted by the event in 2018, with the teams and the Spanish Federation working towards the same goal, we now have a powerful championship, which aspires to lead the world Formula 4 scene. I only have words of thanks for Tatuus and the whole team of the Agrupación Deportiva F4 Spain for their commitment to this project”.  

 

From the Italian firm they are proud of this agreement as shown by the words of its CEO Giovanni Delfino: “Tatuus Racing and Autotecnica Motori are proud and honored to have been chosen by the Spanish Federation as the chassis and engine partners for the new generation of Formula4 cars and for the start of this new era.

We have participated the growth of a Championship that, during the years, has increased its numbers and its popularity, becoming a reference among the F4 National Series, up to this announcement which is coming first in Europe.”

They emphasize that, under FIA guidelines, they have managed to build a car whose performance and safety conforms to the newest directives of the International Federation: “Following FIA requirements, the design and layout of the Tatuus F4-T021 will increase safety and performance. It will give drivers the opportunity to get out of karting and enter the world of Formula racing in a car that will be the perfect start of a path that will take them to the top Series”.

Contact the F4 Spanish Championship organisation regarding the 2022 season by email info@f4spain.org.

F4 ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA

The second generation of Tatuus single-seaters will accompany the Italian F.4 Championship from 2022 to 2028.

The Italian F4 Championship Certified by FIA will continue to race with the Tatuus brand in the seven-year period starting in 2022 and ending in 2028. Seven further seasons which will be added to the past eight raced with the F.4 T-014, a car that has been very successful and has shown excellent reliability and performance on track. The safety aspect of the single-seater has been further improved, without, however, affecting the performance guaranteed by a 4-cylinder turbocharged 1370cc engine that produces 180 hp and improved mechanics associated with an electronic package of the highest level.

The Italian F.4 Championship, the first of all the F4 championships, which commenced in 2014 thanks to the Automobile Club d’Italia, seeing young drivers who have reached Formula 1 such as Lance Stroll, Lando Norris and Mick Schumacher, will therefore continue to forge the young talents of the future together with Tatuus.

Contact the F4 Italian Championship organisation regarding the 2022 season by email info@wskarting.com.

The 2022 Italian F.4 Championship Certified by FIA Calendar:

08/05 Imola

05/06 Misano

19/06 Spa-Francorchamps

03/07 Vallelunga

11/09 Red Bull Ring

09/10 Monza

23/10 Mugello

 

F4  GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA

 

The future of ADAC Formula 4 looks exciting and sets high safety standards. During the German GT Championship event in Hockenheim, ADAC presented the car, with which the talented youngsters racing in Formula 4 will line up from 2022. Among the many improvements made to protect the driver, the 180-hp car for the motorsport stars of tomorrow now also features the “halo” roll bar above the open cockpit, which motorsport fans will recognise from Formula 1.

 

For the second generation of car, ADAC Formula 4 is continuing to put its faith in the proven technology package, consisting of a chassis from Italian manufacturer Tatuus and a Fiat Abarth engine. The car is the second generation of Formula 4 car developed by Tatuus in accordance with the requirements of the International Automobile Federation FIA. In line with the Formula 4 concept, the car provides an ideal mix of safety, quality and performance, whilst also being good value for money.

 

Compared to its predecessor, the new model has been the subject of fundamental modifications, with a particular focus on improving safety. As well as the halo roll bar, the new Formula 4 car features an improved monocoque with better side impact protection, as well as crash structures, which absorb more energy in the case of a crash. To achieve the Formula 4 homologation, the car had to pass 20 tests prescribed by the FIA. The efficient 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine from Fiat Abarth now generates 180 hp – 20 hp more than previously. The increase in power offsets the weight of the extensive safety measures, meaning the performance of the car is expected to be at the same level as its predecessor. The standard tyres are again supplied by exclusive tyre partner and Formula 1 supplier Pirelli.

 

“ADAC’s youth development has been a success story for 30 years, and we want to continue that with the new generation of car in ADAC Formula 4. The new car has modern safety standards and many detailed improvements. ADAC Formula 4 is the ideal starting point for those moving from karting to Formula racing. We are already looking forward to the next crop of aspiring, talented drivers, who are set to take their first steps in Formula motorsport,” said ADAC Sport President Dr. Gerd Ennser.

 

“ADAC Formula 4 is one of the most famous series in the world when it comes to developing talented youngsters,” said ADAC Member of the Board Lars Soutschka. “With the Tatuus chassis, the Fiat Abarth engine and the Pirelli tyres, we are continuing to offer an attractive technology package for the participants. The car has been impressing us with its high level of reliability since 2015. This is very important for a junior series, as the main objective for the talented youngsters we develop in this series is to gain a lot of racing experience.”

 

The new car sees ADAC Formula 4 continue to employ the same technology package as is used in Formula 4 in Italy, and will be used in Great Britain from next year. This offers teams a wide range of platforms, on which they can run the new car.

 

ADAC Formula 4 was launched in 2015 and is now in its seventh season.

Contact the F4 German Championship organisation regarding the 2022 season by email sebastian.tietz@adac.de.

 

2022 Calendar :

Round 1 : April 22 – 24 Spa Francorchamps

Round 2 : May 13 – 15 Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg

Round 3 : June 24 – 26 Zandvoort

Round 4 : August 05 – 08 Nürburgring

Round 5 : August 19 – 21 Lausitzring

Round 6 : October 14 – 16 Nürburgring