F4 viability?

[Lotus7]

So the US representative FIA F4 series ran an 8 car event at Road America (I’ll just let you picture that).
FIA reg’s stipulate that a minimum of 10 cars are required to be recognized as an ‘event’.
Who is selling what to the fathers paying the bills of these drivers on this "road to F1” ?

[Teuobk]

Definitely not a good look when no drivers (save one) returned from last year.

The real drop seems to have been after 2023; entry numbers this year so far are similar to 2024 (i.e., tiny).

I know that at least one former F4 driver I've spoken to quickly tired of the series due to it apparently being a crash-fest.

Jeff

[kr]

Definitely not a good look when no drivers (save one) returned from last year.

The real drop seems to have been after 2023; entry numbers this year so far are similar to 2024 (i.e., tiny).

I know that at least one former F4 driver I've spoken to quickly tired of the series due to it apparently being a crash-fest.

Jeff

5 of last year's F4 drivers are competing in FR Americas this year. None of this year's F4 drivers competed for the whole 2024 season.

The new F4 car definitely affected the field size starting in 2024. Production and reliability issues were the main factors.
That is mostly handled now. 2026 will be the year they have to produce better fields. The racing at Road America in F4 was good.

I don't see F4 as a crash fest. Although we suffered a huge crash early last year, there wasn't much car to car contact all year long.

The car is actually very good. We hope to participate in some SCCA club events this year.

Keith

[CGOffroad]

I have been interested with the introduction of the V4 motor ever since I heard about it. With it being a currently 'in production' motor, I wondered if it would make its way into existing cars that were looking to repower. I am still on the fence about whether I really like the sound of a V4 or not. I have been around a car with the Aprilla motor. This motor and what I have seen or heard of the Ligier Storm seem to have a similar note that is recognizable. The thing I find baffling is the lack of info or chatter about this motor, the JSF422, etc. YouTube searches don't really bring up anything, and as regular visitor to ApexSpeed, I haven't seen really anything about the car, the motor, the series etc until now. Was 2025 just a 'write off' for F4 while all the inevitable problems with introducing new technology are sorted out?

[BeerBudgetRacing]

I am still on the fence about whether I really like the sound of a V4 or not. I have been around a car with the Aprilla motor. This motor and what I have seen or heard of the Ligier Storm seem to have a similar note that is recognizable.

Sound like a boxer motor....

https://www.superhppower.com/amv4