Key facts about the new ADAC Formula 4

Munich: With the launch of its new Formula 4 competition, the ADAC is showing the way ahead for single-seater racing in Germany. The entry-level series for aspiring formula car drivers replaces the previous Formel ADAC. More than 20 talented youngsters will be lining up on the grid for the debut season which will be contested over eight race weekends in 2015. They will be using a Formula 4 chassis supplied by Italian manufacturer Tatuus powered by an Abarth turbo engine. SPORT1+ will be providing live TV coverage of the races.

The car

ADAC Formula 4 will start in 2015 with a chassis manufactured by Tatuus. After extensive testing, the ADAC decided on the new ADAC Formula 4 chassis developed by the Italian company. The chassis supplied by Tatuus meets the stringent safety requirements of the FIA. Italian premium tyre manufacturer Pirelli, well-known to the motor racing world from Formula 1, has also been selected as the ADAC Formula 4 partner. The ADAC has chosen to continue with Motec as the sole supplier of wheels for the Pirellis.

The engine

The new ADAC Formula 4 racing cars go into the debut season of the junior series with engines built by Abarth. The 1.4-litre 414 TF turbo power unit delivers 160 horsepower with a maximum torque of 250 newton metres. The top speed is 210kph (130mph). The four-cylinder engine is based on the standard Abarth 500 but is specially tuned for use in racing.

The teams

More than 20 applications for the ADAC Formula 4 had been received by the end of November. Registration remains open until mid-March 2015. Four outfits who already have experience of contesting the predecessor Formel ADAC series have signed up: Mücke Motorsport, Motopark, JBR Motorsport & Engineering and Neuhauser Racing. Team Scheider led by two-time DTM champion Timo Scheider was the first official newcomer. The presence of Jenzer Motorsport, Piro Sports, Übersax and HTP Junior Team of HTP Motorsport further emphasises the high-calibre and international nature of the starter field.

The racing calendar

The young talents vying for the ADAC Formula 4 championship already have seven dates in their diaries for 2015. The date and venue for the eighth race weekend have not yet been fixed, but it will be hosted by a German racetrack. The first season of the ADAC Formula 4 starts on the weekend of 24th to 26th April at the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Other fixtures include the Lausitzring (3rd - 5th July), the Nürburgring (14th - 16th August), the Sachsenring (28th - 30th August) and Hockenheim (2nd - 4th October). There will be two ‘guest appearances’ at Formula 1 circuits in neighbouring countries: the Red Bull Ring in Austria (5th - 7th June) and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium (19th - 21st June).

ADAC Formula 4 on TV

Specialist channel SPORT1+ has been chosen as the official TV partner for the debut season of the ADAC Formula 4. It will provide live coverage of the races staged by the ADAC High-Speed Academy. In addition, SPORT1 will present a 45-minute magazine-style round-up on free-to-air TV that will include features about the ADAC Formula 4 juniors. Multimedia provision also includes comprehensive online and mobile coverage on www.SPORT1.de and via SPORT1 apps.