With 26 cars announced and 11 nationalities present, the 2024 season of the French F4 Championship confirms its position as one of the top FIA-certified F4 series’. The qualities of the turnkey formula operated by the FFSA Academy are increasingly appreciated.
Some serious references for the FFSA Academy
The importance of French F4 can also be measured by the progress of its former students within the international single-seater pyramid. Pierre Gasly (class of 2011) has had an exceptional career in F1. Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne, FIA Formula E World Champion 2021-2022, made his F4 debut in France (class of 2010). Théo Pourchaire (class of 2018) has never been so close to F1 after winning the F2 title and entering Super Formula for 2024, where he will be joined by Japan’s Ayuma Iwisa (class of 2020). The most promising young talents such as Victor Martins (class of 2017) and Isack Hadjar (class of 2020) will continue in F2.
A solid championship
The French F4 Championship remains true to its values, with seven meetings of three races each year, in addition to supervised training sessions. In 2024, the Dijon and Nürburgring (Germany) circuits will be added to the calendar. The drivers take centre stage in the federal training process during this first stage in single-seaters. The one-design car offers fair racing for all, while keeping the budget under control. The training provided by qualified and experienced instructors actively contributes to the development of each individual’s potential in a favourable environment.
2024 French F4 Championship calendar
Round 1: Nogaro from 30th March to 1st April.
Round 2: Lédenon from 10th to 12th May.
Round 3: Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), 21st to 23rd June.
Round 4: Nürburgring (DEU), 26th to 28th July.
Round 5: Magny-Cours from 23rd to 25 August.
Round 6: Dijon from 13th to 15th September.
Round 7: Le Castellet from 4th to 6th October.
Two pre-season test days are scheduled at Le Mans on 6th and 7th March. Simulator training is also available at Le Mans.
A car always at the cutting edge
The introduction of a second generation F4 in 2022 has been a success. The Mygale M21-F4 fulfils its mission perfectly, with its safety halo, 100% carbon bodywork and other major driver safety features. Powered by an Oreca-prepared Renault 1.3 TCE turbo engine, French F4 offers the kind of performance that young drivers need to prepare for their progression to the higher categories. In financial terms, the prices offered by the FFSA Academy to French and foreign drivers are always affordable, given their highly competitive standard. French F4 is also at the cutting edge of innovation when it comes to environmental issues, using a biofuel supplied by Repsol since 2022 that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% compared with fossil fuels.
A highly competitive field
26 cars have been entered for the 2024 season, with drivers aged between 15 and 20 from 11 countries. However, this growing number of drivers is still compatible with the smooth running of the races, while still providing a high standard of entertainment and training. Seven youngsters are returning for a second year, including Belgium’s Yani Stevenheydens, who came 7th last year. Three former French Junior Karting Champions are entering single-seaters this year with strong ambitions: Arthur Dorison, Pacôme Weisenburger and Augustin Bernier, while Alexandre Munoz and Roméo Leurs from the FFSA Karting class of 2023 will join them in their loyalty to the FFSA Academy. Jules Caranta and Jules Roussel, who excelled in karting last year, will also be making their debuts in single-seaters. Mathilda Paatz, from Germany, will be the the woman to watch this year.
List of drivers in the 2024 French F4 Championship
Augustin Bernier, France
Edouard Borgna, France
Enzo Caldaras, France
Jules Caranta, France
Rayan Caretti, France
Arjun Chheda, India
Arthur Dorison, France
Gabriel Doyle-Parfait, Great Britain
Dylan Estre, France
Taito Kato, Japan
Chester Kieffer, Luxembourg
Tom Le Brech, France
Jason Leung, Canada
Roméo Leurs, France
Montego Maassen, Germany
Leonardo Megna, Italy
Alexandre Munoz, France
Alex O’Grady, Ireland
Mathilda Paatz, Germany
Frank Porte Ruiz, Andorra
Paul Roques, France
Jules Roussel, France
Louis Schlesser, France
Karel Schulz, France
Yani Stevenheydens, Belgium
Pacôme Weisenburger, France
Info FFSA Academy / Photo © KSP – Guillaume Veuve