F4UAE Championship secures its first 10 entries for inaugural season 21.08.2016: Photo Caption: His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Mohammed ben Sulayem during the

Photo Caption: His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Mohammed ben Sulayem during the F4UAE Launch at the Downtown Dubai area.



ATCUAE and EMSF President, Mohammed ben Sulayem have confirmed today the placement of the first official 10 entries at the new F4UAE Championship after welcoming Energy Dubai F4 Racing Team to the Championship last week.


The FIA Accredited Formula 4 Championship in the Untired Arab Emirates, was officially launched by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Culture, and Knowedge Development and Chairman of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare, at the Downtown Dubai area.


On the global motorsport stage, Formula 4 was launched in 2014 to offer young racing drivers the opportunity to take the first step from karting into the world of single-seater racing and onto the internationally celebrated Formula 1 category.


The local F4UAE Championship in the Middle East is aimed at young drivers from 15-years-old and will feature 18 races held over six events at Yas Marina Circuit and Dubai Autodrome.


Utilizing the latest Italian Tatuus chassis with the Italian Abarth Turbo engine, the F4UAE Championship will be the only National Championship that qualifies for FIA Super Licence points, that is vital for drivers wishing to move up the ladder of motorsport and ultimately Formula 1.


Commenting on the new update, Ben Sulayem said: “It is wonderful to welcome another team to the F4UAE family, and to extend our grid to 10 local cars so far. Their experience in fostering young driving talent in the GCC will be a great asset to the Championship and we look forward to seeing them be competitive once the Championship starts.”


For over four years, the Energy Dubai Kart Team has been one of the leading professional motorsport teams in the UAE, winning multiple national karting championships plus becoming world and European vice champions. After the recent purchase of two F4 cars, the team is now preparing to take the next step and offer a smooth transition from karting through to open-wheeler racing.


“We are delighted to announce Energy Dubai's expansion into the F4UAE Championship, and as a team our plan is simply to win,” said team principal Kevin Day.


“Our aim has always been to increase the level of karting in the region and to offer high level staff and equipment at a reasonable budget, thus increasing grid numbers. And now with the exciting new F4UAE Championship, we are also working to the same principle as the karting, keep the budgets lower to attract more drivers.”


For the first season, the team aims to put their two-time karting world champion driver coach Sean Babington in one car, while working to secure the driving services of a talented UAE national or resident for the second seat.


Energy Dubai F4 Racing Team joins four other GCC teams already announced including Abu Dhabi Racing, Rasgaira Motorsports Team, Qatar Motor & Motorsport Federation (QMMF) and Dragon Racing.


Additionally, the Championship has also opened its doors to European F4 teams wishing to compete in the UAE over the winter, such team announcements will be made in due course.


In other category news, and with support from championship promoter AUH Motorsports and the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), Dragon Racing has also developed a new track-day initiative called “Motorsport Wednesdays”.



The testing opportunities created via the program will bolster the availability of more quality track time within the regional motorsport community on the Wednesday prior to each F4UAE race weekend.






Mrs. Sura Manhal, Automobile and Touring Club of UAE - also photo