CAMS has continued its support of the category, with up to eight scholarships available each year until at least 2020.

The CAMS Foundation Rising Star program will also remain in place for 2018, with $50,000 per scholarship available for up to four drivers.

CAMS CEO Eugene Arocca said there had been a string of recent developments in the category with interest at an all-time high.

“There is a real buzz about Formula 4 at the moment and there are a lot of young drivers who are keen to be part of this Championship,” Arocca said.

“The feedback from our existing teams is that they have an unprecedented level of interest and enquiries from potential drivers who are very excited by the opportunities Formula 4 provides.”

CAMS can also confirm the 2018 calendar will feature seven rounds across six events, including four rounds at Supercars events, a double round at a Shannons Nationals event and the possibility of a round in New Zealand.

Teams, drivers and sponsors will also now have the option to purchase cars outright, or maintaining a sustainable lease model if they prefer.

“We’re making sure there is longevity for Formula 4 teams, which will ultimately allow more drivers to take part in the category, with the continuing goal of helping develop the next stars of Australian motor sport,” Arocca said.

Since its introduction into Australia in 2015, numerous Formula 4 drivers have progressed through the motor sport ranks, including Will Brown (Dunlop Super2 Series), Brenton Grove and Jordan Love (Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge), Thomas Randle (Formula Renault Eurocup, British LMP3, Toyota Racing Series) and Zane Goddard and Luis Leeds (Formula Renault Eurocup) to name just a few.

“We are really excited about what lies ahead as we look to develop the next wave of junior drivers,” Arocca added.

“CAMS has been committed to supporting an internationally relevant single seater category from day one.

“The success of the CAMS Jayco Formula 4 program in nurturing drivers for both the international and national stage is evident with more young Australian drivers competing overseas than at any stage in our recent history.

“With more Formula 4 drivers around the world achieving success in everything from F3 to F1, the future is very clear.”

The next Formula 4 Test Day will be held at Winton Raceway on 26 September. This day will allow those interested in joining the Championship a chance to test the cars.

Anyone interested in taking part in the test day should contact David Corrigan, CAMS Operations Manager

The 2017-18 season of the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship – certified by FIA – will commence with six support races at the 2017 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang from 29 September to 1 October.

From Malaysia, the South East Asian FIA F4 driver development championship will proceed to the Philippines to the Clark International Speedway from 20 to 22 October before heading to the Sentul International Circuit in Indonesia from 24 to 26 November.  In the new year, Thailand’s Buriram International Circuit from will host event four from 12 to 14 Januarybefore making a return trip to Sepang for the season finale between 8 to 10 February.

Peter Thompson, F4 SEA Promoter: “These six F1 support race slots at the Malaysia Grand Prix are a huge boost to our continued efforts to profile and promote junior driver development in Asia through the FIA Formula4 SEA platform, coinciding with our motto: ‘Is F1 your dream?’ 

Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1 has recently stated that he wants to work with the FIA to promote motor sport globally and build a pathway for the F1 greats of the future.  By granting these support race slots, Formula 1 has provided a link to F1 for Asian talent to explore. We look forward to working with Chase and his Formula 1 team to enhance youth brand enthusiasm for formula car racing here in Asia.” 

Ross Brawn, Sporting Director of Formula 1: “We are thrilled that the Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix will now host the F4 SEA championship’s first event of the 2017-18 season. For us, it is important that a Formula 1 Grand Prix can offer not only a great show in terms of racing but also can attract the interest of the younger generations and make them closer to motor sport grass roots.

The presence of F4 SEA at the Formula 1 event will have a double benefit: for these young drivers who will have the chance to live an event side-by-side with the Formula 1 world, and for the spectators who will have the chance to see exciting races and maybe discover the next talents of the future!” 

Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustafa, Chairman, Automobile Association of Malaysia, AAM: “To kick start the second season of the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship as a support event at the Malaysia Grand Prix is indeed special, not just in terms of helping to reinforce the FIA’s efforts to streamline the ladder to Formula 1, starting with the junior entry-level Formula 4 concept, but also in terms of exposure for Asia’s talent development efforts.”

One of 12 worldwide championships in the FIA’s F4 global format, the FIA single-operated F4/SEA Championship is designed to help young aspiring motorsport talents fulfil their racing ambitions.

This most comprehensive and cost-effective F4 programme is the only driver development championship in Asia, and provides young racers with 30 race starts, extensive track time, experienced engineers and coaches with shared data to build their motorsport careers.  Most importantly, F4 SEA drivers begin to collect their FIA Super Licence points on this first FIA step to F1 in Asia.

Who will become 'half-time' champion in the 2017 ADAC Formula 4? Will Juri Vips (16, Estonia, Prema Powerteam) stay in front? Can Felipe Drugovich (17, Brazil, Van Amersfoort Racing) overtake him, or will a completely different driver muscle his way into the lead? The fourth weekend of the ADAC High-Speed Academy at Oschersleben (July 7th -9th) will provide all the answers to these interesting questions. SPORT1 will broadcast races ten, eleven and twelve. 

The ADAC Formula 4 and the ADAC TCR Germany will compete side by side at Oschersleben as part of the support programme of the TCR International Series. The Motorsport Arena will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in style. On Saturday evening, cult East German rock band, 'City', will give a concert in the infield of the circuit.

Juri Vips is returning to the Motorsport Arena as the front-runner and with the confidence of having already won there. The Estonian finished on the top rung of the podium at the start of the season towards the end of April and followed that up with another win at the Red Bull Ring. Vips' ace in the pack at the moment is his sheer consistency. Only in the third race at the Lausitzring did he finish out of the points.

"I have great expectations for the races at Oschersleben," says Vips. "Especially after being so successful here at the start of the season. I'm hoping that we can pick up where we left off in Austria. The standard of drivers is extremely high. Every weekend, you have to produce your very best performance just to keep up." Nevertheless, the 16-year-old, who is in front with 119 points, is far from satisfied. He has spotted that he has the potential to improve, particularly in qualifying, because, as he told us: "You really can't afford to make any mistakes this year. They cost you dear."

Felipe Drugovich could benefit from a potential slip-up by Vips, as he is in second place on 102 points, just 17 down on the Estonian. The Brazilian, who caused a stir at Neuhauser Racing in his rookie year, 2016, has taken the next step forward with Van Amersfoort and is now hoping to win the title. His Dutch team have already shown that they are consistently fast and can produce champions. Van Amersfoort driver, Joey Mawson (21, Australia), took the title in 2016.

Drugovich has already won two races, like Vips, so the two are the only ones, who have finished twice on the top rung of the podium this year. Marcus Armstrong (16, New Zealand, Prema Powerteam) on 90 points is the main rival of the two front-runners. The Kiwi secured his first ever win in the ADAC Formula 4 in Austria and finished on the podium in all three races. "Oschersleben is a highly technical track which I enjoy competing on," says Armstrong. "Because the gaps have been so small in recent races, you have to stay totally focused if you want to keep up with the leaders."

Team Motopark, who are based in Oschersleben, are still without a win, and they have every intention of changing that at their home track. They are probably pinning their hopes on the South African, Jonathan Aberdein (19), who finished third twice in the season opener and has also regularly been among the fastest during the test days of the ADAC High-Speed Academy. "I spent a few weeks at home after the race weekend at the Red Bull Ring, was able to recharge my batteries and think about the first few races," says Jonathan. "I feel very comfortable in the car and at the track in Oschersleben. This could be the recipe for a good weekend."

The rookie championship is also exciting and hard-fought. Charles Weerts (16, Belgium, Motopark) is the front-runner in the junior rankings. He is on 141 points, just 15 up on Mick Wishofer (17, Austria, Lechner Racing) in fourth place. Wishofer's team-mate Richard Wagner (17, Germany) is currently second. He began the season without any karting or racing experience and is on 133 points. Laurin Heinrich (15, Germany) is third with 129 points. The 15-year-old will drive for Team Rennsport Rössler for the first time at Oschersleben.

A new face will be joining the ADAC Formula 4 at the Motorsport Arena when Oliver Caldwell (15, Great Britain, ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.) competes for the first time in the ADAC's High-Speed School. Caldwell usually lines up in British Formula 4 where he is the youngest entrant. He will drive as a guest entrant in the ADAC Formula 4.

Round 2 of the 2017 ADAC Formula 4: The next generation of motor racing stars once again had the opportunity to mingle with the pros of the ADAC GT Masters and the DTM at this year's Motorsport Festival Lausitzring. Kim-Luis Schramm (19, Germany, US Racing), Julian Hanses (19, Germany, US Racing) and Felipe Drugovich (16, Brazil, Van Amersfoort Racing) were added to the winners' list which now shows six different names after six races.

A word of caution, though: the ADAC Formula 4 results from the Lausitzring are subject to an ongoing appeal lodged by the US Racing team. SPORT1 and SPORT1+ showed all three races live on free-to-air TV. The season continues in three weeks' time (9th 11th June) when the Red Bull Ring at Spielberg hosts races seven to nine. 

A great backdrop: 67,500 motor sport fans provided an impressive backdrop at the Lausitzring over the weekend. The grandstands were packed and crowds were milling around the paddock, making good use of the information, entertainment and refreshment facilities. Many fans travelled to the venue with tents or caravans, and the impromptu parties and concerts made for a festive mood. 

From one trophy ceremony to another: First he lifted the winner's trophy and shortly thereafter handed over another. Lucas Auer, winner of Saturday's DTM race and current championship leader, joined former Mercedes-Motorsport supremo Norbert Haug in presenting the trophies to the Top Three from the second ADAC Formula 4 race. Like Haug, Peter Mücke's services as expert commentator were also called on by the TV broadcaster covering the weekend's action. This was on top of his duties as team principal in both the ADAC GT Masters and ADAC Formula 4. 

Never a dull moment: US Racing driver Kim-Luis Schramm's busy schedule continues on Wednesday when the 19-year-old makes his debut in the ADAC Zurich 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (25th - 28th May). Schramm is thinking ahead to future career moves: "I am competing in some VLN races and also the 24-hour race to get myself accustomed to driving larger cars next year." According to the victor of the first race at the Lausitzring, the focus is still on winning the ADAC Formula 4 title. 

An explosion of feelings: Securing a maiden pole position in qualifying was enough in itself to get Julian Hanses from Hilden near Düsseldorf in a euphoric mood. When the US Racing squad member converted it into a maiden ADAC Formula 4 win, there was no holding back: "It was an explosion of feelings. I couldn't contain my emotions - I had to cry. For the first time, all the hard work and preparations have at last paid off." The first congratulations came in from his father, Lothar, who was unable to witness first-hand this debut victory after rupturing his Achilles tendon during the first race weekend at Oschersleben. Thanks to the live broadcast of the ADAC Formula 4 races on SPORT1, he was able to watch his son's lights-to-flag victory from his sick bed.