After two successful years in which the grid constantly moved up the single-seater pyramid, with no fewer than four drivers being signed onto Formula One Junior Programs, this new season will be stronger than ever with a grid of 21 drivers announced for the first round next month.

The 2017 SMP F4 North European Zone Calendar will take the drivers to four different countries, starting on 19-20 May at Sochi Autodrom, the southern Russia circuit which hosts the FIA Formula One Russian Grand Prix, before taking the drivers up north to Smolensk Autodrom, on 26-28 May, close to Moscow, a new addition to the F4 NEZ tour.

On 2-4 June, SMP F4 NEZ will join a big Finnish event in Ahvenisto, the legendary “mini-Spa” circuit. Auto24ring in Parnu, Estonia, will be on the calendar again on 30 June – 2 July, after two beautiful rounds in 2015, the circuit is back on the programme this season.

The drivers will then head back to Russia for two rounds at Moscow Raceway, on 14-15 July and 19-20 August.

To finish the season, the 2017 SMP F4 NEZ Championship will visit a new track-addition as the North European Zone series will end its third season in Assen, Netherlands, on 20-22 October.

2017 Calendar:

19-20 May, Sochi Autodrom (RUS)
26-28 May, Smolensk (RUS)
2-4 June, Ahvenisto (FIN)
30-2 July, Parnu (EST)
14-15 July, Moscow (RUS)
19-20 August, Moscow (RUS)
20-22 October, Assen (NED)

75 points in three races, the fruits of three victories: the Venezuelan Sebastian Fernandez and the Bhaitech team have marked themselves as among the early favourites to win this year’s Italian F4 Championship powered by Abarth.

Behind him is his team mate, the Italian Lorenzo Colombo, who took 48 points from the weekend thanks to a fourth place in Race 1 and two subsequent second placings. Third in the standings is the Russian Artem Petrov (DR Formula), second in Race 1 and third in Race 3, on 33 points.

Just 5 points behind Petrov is the Dutch driver Job Van Uitert (Jenzer Motorsport), followed by the 2016 Rookie Trophy champion, the Estonian Juri Vips (Prema Power Team), on 27 points. From sixth through to tenth in the standings we find the New Zealander Marcus Armstrong (Prema Power Team, 25 points), the Brazilian Enzo Fittipaldi (Prema Power Team, 21), the Guatemalan Ian Rodriguez (DRZ Benelli, 14), the German Lirim Zendeli (BWT Mucke Motorsport, 12) and another Dutch driver in Leonard Hoogenboom (Cram Motorsport, 4).

In the Rookie Trophy, Fittipaldi is the leader, thanks to the 68 points obtained with two Rookie wins and a second placing. He is followed by the Italian Leonardo Lorandi (Bhaitech), who was penalised 15 seconds in Race 2 which therefore meant a potential win went up in smoke, which in turn benefited Fittipaldi.

For Lorandi, he has 53 points whilst in third is the Argentine Giorgio Carrara (Jenzer Motorsport), followed by the Italian Andrea Dell’Accio (Henry Morrogh Racing) on 32 points and then the French driver Alessandro Ghiretti (BDL Motorsport, 26 points).

Sophia Flörsch leads the Women’s Trophy for BWT Mucke Motorsport on 75 points.

In the Team’s Championship, Bhaitech is out front on 123 points, ahead of Prema Power Team (64), DR Formula (37), Jenzer Motorsport (32) and DRZ Benelli (14).

The Italian F4 Championship powered by Abarth continues over the weekend of May 5-7 at Adria International Raceway.

Last minute entries for the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda continue to intensify the competition, increasing the grid to 32 entries for the season debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida, April 8-9.

Returning to the F4 U.S. lineup is second-year driver Benjamin Pederson of Copenhagen, Denmark, with Global Racing Group and competing for a partial season under Group-A Racing is inaugural season first runner-up Konrad Czaczyk of Loxahatchee, Florida. John Paul Southern Jr. of Westlake, Ohio, was also confirmed by Jay Howard’s Motorsport Driver Development as its fourth driver.

“We couldn’t be more pleased about the continued response F4 U.S. is receiving,” said SCCA Pro Racing Vice President Steve Oseth. “It is a clear indicator of the value F4 U.S. presents.”

Pedersen, 17, resumes his F4 campaign in the black and orange stripped No. 24 DirtFish Rally car with Haas Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean as his mentor.

“Only 10 months ago, I sat in the DirtFish car for the first time. To grab a podium position in the first F4 race in the United States was simply amazing,” said Pedersen. “Having Romain as a mentor is very humbling. To have someone as knowledgeable as him, is a huge advantage. Following a pre-season program involving testing, training, simulator work, physical exercise and classroom training, I can’t wait for the red lights to go out at Homestead-Miami Speedway.”

Pedersen finished 10th overall in the inaugural season, and with his return, Grosjean will be added to GRG’s Sporting Advisory Board.

“Our connections across the world to FIA Formula series is an essential element in providing opportunities for our drivers,” said GRG President and CEO Christian Pedersen. “Romain Grosjean and his team provide us tremendous help and guidance in that regard. We are excited to have him on our Sporting Advisory Board.”

Czaczyk returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway after an incredible 2016 season.  The 20-year-old swept the inaugural event and went on to complete the season with six second-place finishes and one third-place finish.

"We are very excited about adding Konrad to our lineup this year,” said Group-A team principal Joe Scarallo. “This is a very last minute addition but with our crews experience and Konrad's success last year we think we can play catch up really quick to have some great results."

Due to a previous commitment, Czaczyk will compete in only three of the six F4 U.S. events for Group-A Racing. The team will fill the seat for Indianapolis Motor Speedway, VIRginia International Raceway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a soon-to-be-announced driver.

Southern, 15, finalized MDD’s lineup. The rookie starts his F4 U.S. career coming off a successful 2016 season, earning three national karting championships.

“I’m looking forward to not only improving my driving skills,” said Southern, “but also gaining experience in public speaking, communicating clearly with engineers, building my brand and moving up the racing ladder. MDD and F4 will help me become a well-rounded athlete.”

The F4 U.S. Championship joins the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli for a high-energy SCCA Pro road racing weekend. General admission tickets are available for purchase in advance of the event at HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com for $10 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday. Two-day passes can also be purchased online for $20.

General admission tickets will be available at the gate on the day of the event. Infield tickets are $15 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. Two-day passes purchased at the gate are $25. Children 12 years and younger are admitted for free on both days. Parking is free all weekend and will be located in the infield on Main Street and Road Course South (east portion).

The F4 British Championship certified by FIA - powered by Ford burst back into life at Brands Hatch this weekend for the opening rounds of the 2017 season.

Having recorded the fastest ever lap by a Ford EcoBoost-powered F4 car in qualifying on his way to pole position, there was no doubting the pace of Carlin’s Jamie Caroline heading into Saturday’s (1 April) opening round of the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford. The Pirtek Racing and Duo Motorsport backed rising star duly delivered with a lights to flag victory at Brands Hatch.

A blockbuster Sunday of Ford EcoBoost-powered action saw TRS Arden's Ayrton Simmons claim an emotional maiden race win. It was the highlight of the Banbury outfit's day which also saw Oscar Piastri and Alex Quinn finish on the podium in round three.

Carlin's Jamie Caroline was the star of the show from pole in the final race of the weekend, with an almost carbon copy performance of his round one victory just 24 hours earlier. Two victories and a fifth place this weekend ensuring Caroline leaves Brands Hatch with a 19 point lead in the standings.

It was a positive day for another British F4 returnee, with JHR Developments driver Billy Monger on the podium in round two and recording a clean sweep of Ford F4 Challenge Cup class wins.

Provisional results Round 1 Brands Hatch Indy 1 April 2017

24 laps / 28.99 miles

1 Jamie CAROLINE / GBR / Carlin 20m 26.854s / 85.06mph
2 Alex QUINN / GBR / Arden +0.290s
3 Oscar PIASTRI / AUS / Arden +1.042s
4 Logan SARGEANT / USA / Carlin +3.981s
5 Patrik PASMA / FIN / Carlin +5.950s
6 Billy MONGER / GBR / JHR +6.441s
7 Ayrton SIMMONS / GBR / Arden +6.754s
8 Manuel SULAIMAN / MEX / JHR +8.237s
9 Oliver YORK / GBR / Fortec + 9.138s
10 Karl MASSAAD / LBN / Double R +11.296s etc.