Safe and perfect for talented youngsters: This is the future of ADAC Formula 4

• ADAC Formula 4 presents the new generation of car for 2022
• New car with halo roll bar and even higher safety standards
• Tried-and-tested drive system: 180-hp turbo engine from Fiat Abarth

Hockenheim. The future of ADAC Formula 4 looks exciting and sets high safety standards. On Saturday, during the German GT Championship event in Hockenheim, ADAC presented the car, with which the talented youngsters racing in Formula 4 will line up from 2022. Among the many improvements made to protect the driver, the 180-hp car for the motorsport stars of tomorrow now also features the “halo” roll bar above the open cockpit, which motorsport fans will recognise from Formula 1.

For the second generation of car, ADAC Formula 4 is continuing to put its faith in the proven technology package, consisting of a chassis from Italian manufacturer Tatuus and a Fiat Abarth engine. The car is the second generation of Formula 4 car developed by Tatuus in accordance with the requirements of the International Automobile Federation FIA. In line with the Formula 4 concept, the car provides an ideal mix of safety, quality and performance, whilst also being good value for money.

Compared to its predecessor, the new model has been the subject of fundamental modifications, with a particular focus on improving safety. As well as the halo roll bar, the new Formula 4 car features an improved monocoque with better side impact protection, as well as crash structures, which absorb more energy in the case of a crash. To achieve the Formula 4 homologation, the car had to pass 20 tests prescribed by the FIA. The efficient 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine from Fiat Abarth now generates 180 hp – 20 hp more than previously. The increase in power offsets the weight of the extensive safety measures, meaning the performance of the car is expected to be at the same level as its predecessor. The standard tyres are again supplied by exclusive tyre partner and Formula 1 supplier Pirelli.

“ADAC’s youth development has been a success story for 30 years, and we want to continue that with the new generation of car in ADAC Formula 4. The new car has modern safety standards and many detailed improvements. ADAC Formula 4 is the ideal starting point for those moving from karting to Formula racing. We are already looking forward to the next crop of aspiring, talented drivers, who are set to take their first steps in Formula motorsport,” said ADAC Sport President Dr. Gerd Ennser.

“ADAC Formula 4 is one of the most famous series in the world when it comes to developing talented youngsters,” said ADAC Member of the Board Lars Soutschka. “With the Tatuus chassis, the Fiat Abarth engine and the Pirelli tyres, we are continuing to offer an attractive technology package for the participants. The car has been impressing us with its high level of reliability since 2015. This is very important for a junior series, as the main objective for the talented youngsters we develop in this series is to gain a lot of racing experience.”

The new car sees ADAC Formula 4 continue to employ the same technology package as is used in Formula 4 in Italy, and will be used in Great Britain from next year. This offers teams a wide range of platforms, on which they can run the new car.

The origins of ADAC’s youth development date back to 1991 and the ADAC SONAX Formula Junior Championship. ADAC Formula 4 was launched in 2015 and is now in its seventh season. The first driver to progress through the ADAC Formula series and into Formula 1 was Ralf Schumacher, who is now a successful team principal in ADAC Formula 4. A further 15 drivers have since followed him into the pinnacle of motorsport, the most recent of these being his nephew Mick last year. With the likes of current Formula 3 driver David Schumacher and Formula 2 drivers David Beckmann and Lirim Zendeli, ADAC Formula 4 has also produced a host of top German talents since 2015. Other drivers who cut their teeth in ADAC Formula series include former Formula 1 world champions Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg, as well as Nico Hülkenberg, Timo Glock, current Formula E drivers Maximilian Günther, Pascal Wehrlein and André Lotterer, and world-class GT driver Maro Engel.