Based around the FIA Formula 3 European Championship training course which has become compulsory for all drivers in 2016, the German F4 series volunteered to be the first to pilot the idea at national level with a view to expanding the programme to all regional F4 series in future.

Mirroring the training structure on each level of the single-seater ladder is part of the FIA’s on-going aim to formalise and regulate the path from Karting all the way to Formula 1, and driver education is a key element of that process. 

The training has been tailored around the unique aspects of F4, and will help both rookie and returning drivers in gaining a better understanding of the cars and the series.

Included within the programme are all the key elements of a race weekend such as race procedures, safety, driver behaviour and precautions, and anti-doping standards.

Familiarisation with the appropriate Technical and Sporting regulations as well as the International Sporting Code also make up an important part of the training, which concludes with details about mechanical knowledge and operation of race cars, as well as information about the media and communication structure and how they are expected to represent the series.

2016 marks the 25th year of junior single seater racing which began with Formula ADAC back in 1991, and remarkably all four current German Formula 1 drivers - Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Nico Hülkenberg and Pascal Wehrlein - won an ADAC junior championship on their way to F1.

Hermann Tomczyk, ADAC Sports President, said: “The successful promotion of young talent is an integral part of ADAC motor sport and we welcome any initiative which supports the education of junior drivers. Every step of a drivers’ career is an important one, and it is crucial that we do everything we can to help prepare them and give them the best possible chance to succeed. This is a fantastic way to start the 25th season of ADAC junior formulae and we are looking forward to a great season of Formula 4.”

Stefano Domenicali, President of the FIA Single-Seater Commission, added: “We are pleased to be the first to implement this programme at the national F4 level – it is something that will undoubtedly become mandatory in the future and I think it will have a positive impact when the racing starts this weekend.

“With so many of these drivers coming to F4 from karting, it is important that the FIA is making sure they are being properly prepared for the challenges ahead. Learning good habits now will certainly pay dividends as they move up the ladder of single-seater racing.”

Jonathan Aberdein, driver for Motopark, said: “Today was great! Like many others I’m moving from karting into a car for the first time and there is a lot to learn, so it helps to have this day to understand better the car and the championship. It’s going to be a really competitive season for sure, but knowing that we are learning things that will help us for many seasons to come is a fantastic start.”

The 2016 ADAC Formula 4 Championship gets underway with a triple-header of races at Oschersleben, consisting of eight events across the season. Click here for more information.