New Formula 4 series to debut at Silverstone in April

[John S]

A 24 car grid will be powered by 2.0 Ford Cosworth tuned engines.

Looks certain that this new series will kill off any chance of Formula Renault 2.0 UK returning in 2013, this new series targets the same group of drivers; - i.e. those wishing to gain experience to move up the ladder to F3 and since the demise of F2, GP3 or even Renault 3,5. Shame really as Formula Renault 2.0 UK was a great addition to the BTCC race weekend package and I for one miss it.  

The car to be used by the next generation of British motorsport stars in the brand-new BRDC Formula 4 Championship will be unveiled at Autosport International next month.
 
Backed by the British Racing Drivers’ Club and run by MotorSport Vision (MSV), Formula 4 is a new, domestic open-wheel class commencing in 2013, aimed at being an affordable way for young drivers to follow their F1 aspirations. MSV’s Autosport International stand will host the launch of the series’ MSV F4-013 race car on Thursday 10 January, the opening day of the 10-13 January 2013 event at Birmingham’s NEC.
 
MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer will reveal the new MSV-F4013, which has already passed the FIA’s stringent test programme. Designed by Ralph Firman, who founded the legendary Van Diemen operation, the cars will be powered by 185bhp, 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engines tuned by Cosworth.
 
Drivers including three-time Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna and Grand Prix winner Eddie Irvine started their open-wheel careers in Van Diemen race cars designed by Firman.
 
Autosport International exhibitor, Sadev, from France, will supply a six-speed transmission with paddle shift, while another company attending the 2013 show, Yokohama has been named as the control tyre supplier. Following its launch the car will hit the track for its first test in mid-January.
 
Starting at Silverstone in April, an eight-round calendar has been announced, while competitors have embraced the new class, with 24 of the identical cars already sold. The series champion will receive a £25,000 scholarship and a Formula 3 test with multiple title winners Carlin Motorsport

Racecar-engineering.com, 14th Dec.