Organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates (ATCUAE), the FIA accredited Championship is open to drivers aged 15 and above, featuring 18 races over six events at Yas Marina Circuit and Dubai Autodrome from October 2016 to March 2017.
The series, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North African region (MENA), adds to the busy motorsport calendar in the UAE, bridges the gap between karting and Formula racing and offers another stage for local talent to shine on.
“The UAE is the first in the region to adopt the FIAs new Formula 4 Championship model, and this was made possible thanks to the excellent motor sport infrastructure we have developed here over the last decade,” said ATCUAE president Ben Sulayem.
“The UAE Formula 4 Championship is a much anticipated addition to motorsport in the UAE, and wider region.
“It is the perfect opportunity for young drivers to graduate from karting, and is the first step on the ladder to a career as a professional driver.
“It would be fantastic to see a driver progress all the way from UAE Formula 4 Championship to the Formula One World Championship.”
Al Ameri, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit, added: “It’s a critical platform for us because it will develop the next generation of drivers that will go to the professional level and hopefully up the ladder all the way to Formula One with time.”
Each race weekend of the Championship will have two 30-minute official practice sessions, followed by a 20-minute qualifying and three 20-minute races.
The first, second and third place finishers of each race will receive podium trophies, while teams will be awarded points for their two highest-placed drivers in each race, going towards the end-of-season tally for the Team Trophy.
Overall season awards include Champion, Rookie of the Year and Team of the Year.
The tentative schedule currently has the Championship opening at Yas Marina Circuit at the end of October and concluding in the nation’s capital in mid-March.
