The FIA has unveiled the second-generation Formula 4 car to be used in the next homologation cycle of FIA-certified Formula 4 championships around the world. The car has been on display during the FIA Conference in Monaco, and is now available for all to experience through an innovative augmented reality presentation that can be viewed on mobile devices here (QR code at the bottom of the article).

FIA President Jean Todt, together with FIA Formula 1 Race Director and Single-Seater Sporting Director Michael Masi, FIA Single-Seater Technical Director and F1 Commission Coordinator, Nikolas Tombazis and FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars winner, current Formula 4 racer member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Maya Weug, presented the car to delegates gathered from around the world today, 7 July.

The new car boasts a major update to its safety profile, so in Formula 4, the most junior of the FIA’s single-seater categories, drivers are now better protected from the start of their single-seater racing careers, through FIA-certified Formula Regional championships, FIA Formula 2, Formula 3 and finally the FIA Formula One World Championship.

The second-generation Formula 4 car’s survival cell has been upgraded to be in line with the most up-to-date safety standards. Stringent load tests will be implemented for the survival cell side strength and the side and frontal anti-intrusion panels of the new car.

National Formula 4 Championships certified by FIA are the first step out of karting into cars for young drivers at various stages of physical development, and therefore the car unveiled in Monaco boasts more ergonomic flexibility to accommodate different driver sizes and increased visibility to ensure maximum accessibility.

Updates continue under the skin of the new Formula 4 car, with a powertrain package that includes significant scope for modernisation while also providing for cost-control measures. The package comprises as many carry-over parts as possible from the previous specification, whilst also allowing for hybridisation should championship organisers wish to include it. The power output has been adjusted so that the power to weight ratio remains at the appropriate level for this first step into single-seater racing, with a target of 3.6kg/BHP across all cars from the various championships.

FIA President Jean Todt said: “It gives me great satisfaction to unveil the second-generation Formula 4 car here in Monaco together with representatives of the FIA community from around the world. Since their introduction in 2014, FIA-certified Formula 4 Championships have proved to be a success, with racing currently organised in 11 countries. The essential base of the FIA’s single-seater pyramid has been significantly strengthened for the future, with the focus rightly placed on our  commitment to improving safety across all motor sport, whilst ensuring that costs are controlled. Our objective is to give young drivers the best opportunity to demonstrate their talent.”

FIA Formula 1 Race Director and Single Seater Sporting Director Michael Masi, said: “FIA-Certified Formula 4 Championships are an essential part of the development pathway for young drivers looking to one day make it all the way to Formula 1, and we have already seen with the success of former Formula 4 drivers in top categories that this system is working just as intended. The second-generation Formula 4 car has been carefully developed by the FIA and its suppliers and partners to offer a significant upgrade in the key areas of safety and performance whilst remaining cost-effective for championship organisers and competitors. By continually working to cascade the knowledge and advancements made in Formula 1 to junior categories, we are offering the best possible preparation to the next generations of drivers, and I’m looking forward to seeing the new Formula 4 car in action on the race track in the coming years.”