The E4 Championship returns in 2026 with another packed grid, a three-round calendar and a familiar role on the junior single-seater ladder. Formerly known as the Euro 4 Championship until 2025, E4 acts as Italian F4’s sister series and gives young drivers further race mileage in the same machinery used in the Italian championship.
Since its launch in 2023, the series has quickly built a strong reputation. Ugo Ugochukwu won the inaugural title, Akshay Bohra followed in 2024, and Kean Nakamura-Berta claimed the 2025 crown during a dominant campaign that also included the Italian F4 title.
The championship also continues to attract both high-profile juniors and lesser-known prospects. With one round in France and two in Italy, E4 gives drivers extra experience on major European circuits while still fitting around broader F4 campaigns.
A look back on the 2025 E4 Championship
Prema Racing controlled the 2025 season. Nakamura-Berta won the Drivers’ Championship in dominant fashion, while Oleksandr Bondarev claimed the rookie title. Prema also swept the teams’ honours, continuing its perfect record in the E4 Teams’ Championship since the series began.
However, US Racing remained Prema’s closest rival. The German team has finished runner-up in every E4 season so far, and it returns in 2026 with one of the strongest line-ups on the grid.
R-ace GP also enjoyed success in 2025, claiming the Women’s Championship with Emily Cotty. Meanwhile, PHM Racing took its best result in the series, finishing third in the Teams’ Championship after Reno Francot helped the team score its first E4 victory at Le Castellet.
Last season also showed E4’s growing appeal. A record 41 drivers competed in at least one round, underlining the championship’s importance for young drivers seeking extra race experience.
The 2026 E4 Championship calendar
The 2026 calendar keeps the same three-round structure as last season. Vallelunga opens the campaign in July, before the field travels to Circuit Paul Ricard later that month. The season then concludes at Monza in October.
Race calendar
- Round 1: Autodromo Vallelunga, 3–5 July
- Round 2: Circuit Paul Ricard, 17–19 July
- Round 3: Autodromo Nazionale Monza, 9–11 October
The calendar gives drivers three very different tests. Vallelunga rewards technical precision, Paul Ricard adds high-speed sections and heavy braking zones, while Monza demands racecraft, slipstream management and confidence in close battles.
Format and race structure
E4 follows a format similar to Italian F4, although the structure can change depending on the size of the entry list and each circuit’s maximum capacity.
Each weekend starts on Friday with two 40-minute free practice sessions. From there, the format depends on whether the number of entries stays below or exceeds the circuit’s permitted capacity.
Standard format
When the entry list stays below the circuit’s capacity, drivers contest two 15-minute Qualifying sessions. Depending on the venue, organisers can run these sessions separately or combine them with a 10-minute neutralisation period in the middle.
The grid structure then works as follows:
- Race 1: best time from Qualifying 1
- Race 2: best time from Qualifying 2
- Race 3: second-best time from either Qualifying session
Each race runs for 30 minutes plus one lap.
Large-grid format
When entries exceed the circuit’s maximum capacity, the weekend changes significantly.
Drivers take part in two 20-minute Qualifying practice series. Organisers assign drivers to each series based on championship standings. For drivers without that reference, they use the previous round’s final race results, Qualifying race results and Qualifying race times.
The combined classification then determines three groups:
- Group A: drivers classified first, fourth, seventh and every third position after that
- Group B: drivers classified second, fifth, eighth and every third position after that
- Group C: drivers classified third, sixth, ninth and every third position after that
On Saturday, the groups contest three Qualifying races:
- Qualifying Race 1: Groups B and C
- Qualifying Race 2: Groups A and B
- Qualifying Race 3: Groups A and C
Each Qualifying race lasts 25 minutes plus one lap.
A final race then takes place on Sunday. Organisers set the grid by adding each driver’s points from the Qualifying races. Drivers without points line up according to their best finishes. Only the top 36 drivers qualify for the final race, which also lasts 25 minutes plus one lap.
The 2026 E4 points system explained
E4 introduces a new points structure for 2026. The top 15 drivers score points after each race.
Points system
- 1st: 30 points
- 2nd: 26 points
- 3rd: 22 points
- 4th: 20 points
- 5th: 18 points
- 6th: 16 points
- 7th: 14 points
- 8th: 12 points
- 9th: 10 points
- 10th: 9 points
- 11th: 8 points
- 12th: 6 points
- 13th: 4 points
- 14th: 2 points
- 15th: 1 point
E4 does not award bonus points for pole position or fastest lap.
The championship includes four main classifications: Drivers’, Teams’, Rookies’ and Women’s. The points format stays the same across each championship, but each classification operates independently.
The Drivers’ Championship uses every score across the three rounds. However, the Rookie and Women’s Championships count each driver’s best seven race results. For the Teams’ Championship, organisers add the scores of each team’s two highest-ranked drivers at every round.
Rookie eligibility also follows a strict rule. Drivers can enter the rookie classification only if they contested no more than three single-seater race weekends before 2026, although the series can grant exceptions.
Where to watch E4 in 2026
ACI Sport provides live timing for free practice and Qualifying sessions, although those sessions do not receive live broadcasts.
Races are live-streamed on ACI Sport’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, giving fans a straightforward way to follow each round.
Teams and drivers set to feature in the 2026 E4 Championship
The 2026 grid closely mirrors Italian F4, with many drivers using E4 to add extra mileage, race starts and overtaking experience. However, the line-up can still change across the season, as teams often adjust entries between rounds.
Prema Racing, US Racing, R-ace GP, Van Amersfoort Racing, PHM Racing, Real Racing, Trident, AKM Motorsport and Scuderia Buell all feature on the 2026 grid.
Prema Racing
Prema Racing enters 2026 as the benchmark team in E4. The Italian squad has won the Teams’ Championship in every season since the series began, and it returns with a deep line-up that blends experience, academy talent and rookie promise.
- Christian Costoya (#1, R) – The Spanish McLaren junior arrives after winning the FIA Karting European Championship in the OK class in 2025. He finished sixth in UAE4 earlier this year and has already shown flashes in Italian F4, including a best result of fourth at Monza.
- Roman Kamyab (#4, R) – The British driver stepped up from karting after finishing 13th in the OK class of the 2025 FIA Karting European Championship. He started 2026 in the Formula Winter Series before joining Prema in Italian F4 from Vallelunga.
- Alp Aksoy (#10, R) – Aksoy enters as one of the leading title contenders. The Turkish driver won Formula Trophy late last year, finished eighth overall and third among rookies in UAE4, and currently sits third in Italian F4 with two wins and three more podiums.
- Niccolò Maccagnani (#19) – The Ferrari junior brings significant F4 mileage. He won three times in F4 SEA last year, finished second in Formula Trophy over the winter and has already won in Italian F4 this season at Misano.
- Oleksandr Bondarev (#27) – The Williams junior returns as the reigning E4 Rookie Champion. He won the UAE4 title earlier this year with four wins and three further podiums, although he has faced a tougher Italian F4 campaign so far.
- Kingsley Zheng (#69, R) – The Chinese rookie entered 2026 after a quiet 2025 without competitive racing. He finished 19th overall and eighth among rookies in UAE4, then scored a best Italian F4 result of seventh at Vallelunga.
- Georgiy Zasov (#98, R) – The Swiss driver switches from Jenzer Motorsport to Prema. He made his single-seater debut in the Formula Winter Series and has also raced in F4 CEZ and Italian F4.
US Racing
US Racing has finished second in the Teams’ Championship in all three E4 seasons. However, the German outfit has already won the Drivers’ Championship once, with Akshay Bohra beating Prema’s Freddie Slater to the 2024 title.
Its 2026 line-up looks particularly strong, led by Italian F4 championship leader Luka Sammalisto.
- Luka Sammalisto (#7) – The Finn returns to E4 after missing the 2025 edition. He leads Italian F4 with seven consecutive race wins and holds a 47-point championship advantage, making him one of the favourites for the E4 crown.
- Edu Robinson (#9) – The British-Spanish driver returns to US Racing after spending much of 2025 in FR Europe. He currently sits sixth in Italian F4 with one win and two additional podiums.
- Noah Killion (#13) – The Australian won the 2025 AU4 Championship in his first single-seater season. In 2026, he has already scored an Italian F4 win and podium at Monza.
- Oleksandr Savinkov (#17) – The Ukrainian-licensed driver brings extensive F4 experience. He won in the Formula Winter Series over the winter and currently sits fourth in Italian F4 after three podium finishes.
- Ludovico Busso (#29) – The Italian returns for his second E4 season. After moving to US Racing, he has stepped forward in both the Formula Winter Series and Italian F4.
- Ary Bansal (#46) – The 2025 GB4 champion also impressed in winter competition, finishing third in the Formula Winter Series with two wins and three podiums. He currently sits fifth in Italian F4.
- Arjen Kräling (#62) – The German driver joined E4 for two rounds last year and has since built momentum. He won in the Formula Winter Series and currently sits seventh in Italian F4 with a podium.
R-ace GP
R-ace GP joined E4 in its debut season and finished fourth in last year’s Teams’ Championship. The French squad also claimed the 2025 Women’s Championship with Emily Cotty.
For 2026, R-ace GP brings a line-up with strong rookie depth, Mercedes junior talent and Spanish F4 experience.
- Andy Consani (#30) – Consani returns for a second E4 season after finishing 18th overall and seventh among rookies last year despite missing the Le Castellet opener. The Frenchman finished runner-up in UAE4, although penalties and incidents have limited his Italian F4 results.
- Jean-Paul Karras (#32) – The French-licensed Greek driver contested OK-N karting and selected Spanish F4 rounds last year. He now races full-time in Spanish F4 and has already scored a top-10 finish.
- Tamás Gender (#33, R) – The Hungarian driver made his single-seater debut in UAE4 over the winter and continues his rookie development in Italian F4.
- Kenzo Craigie (#34, R) – The British Mercedes junior enters as one of the leading rookies. A Lewis Hamilton protégé and standout karter, Craigie won the Champions of the Future Euro Series’ OK title last year and currently sits third in the Italian F4 rookie standings.
- Philippe-Armand Karras (#36) – Jean-Paul Karras’s twin brother also moved from karting and Spanish F4 guest appearances into a full Spanish F4 campaign. He has scored two top-10 finishes in 2026.
Van Amersfoort Racing
Van Amersfoort Racing has been part of the E4 grid since 2023. The Dutch team finished third in the Teams’ Championship in each of its first two seasons before slipping to fifth last year.
In 2026, VAR brings three drivers with different profiles: returning E4 experience, Brazilian F4 success and British F4 pedigree.
- Aleksander Ruta (#3) – Ruta finished 13th overall and fifth among rookies in E4 last year. The Polish driver won in the Formula Winter Series earlier this season, although a wrist injury disrupted part of his pre-season preparation.
- Pedro Lima (#53) – The Brazilian moved to Europe after winning races in Brazilian F4 and finishing third overall last year. He started 2026 with 10th in the Formula Winter Series and continues to build European experience.
- Thomas Bearman (#87) – Bearman first started single-seater racing in Euro 4 before returning to Britain. He finished eighth in British F4 last year, took sixth in the main race at the FIA F4 World Cup, and finished runner-up in the Formula Winter Series this year.
PHM Racing
PHM Racing achieved its best E4 result last season, finishing third in the Teams’ Championship. Reno Francot also gave the Berlin-based squad its first win in the series at Le Castellet.
For 2026, PHM expands significantly with a five-driver line-up.
- Oscar Repetto (#6, R) – Repetto entered one E4 round last year and now returns with more experience. He currently sits 18th in Italian F4 and fourth in the rookie class, with one rookie win and four further class podiums.
- Iacopo Martinese (#28, R) – The Italian rookie enjoyed a decorated karting career before stepping into single-seaters in UAE4. He finished ninth there with a podium and now continues his development in Italian F4 and E4.
- Andre Rodriguez (#40) – The American returns for a second E4 season after racing with Van Amersfoort Racing last year. He has also competed in Italian F4, Formula Winter Series and Eurocup-3, and now joins PHM for E4.
- Roland Kuklane (#47, R) – The Estonian rookie entered single-seaters through Italian F4 after karting in 2025. He currently sits 13th in the Italian F4 rookie standings.
- Alexander Chartier (#81, R) – The Canadian rookie started his single-seater career in the Formula Winter Series and later contested Spanish F4. After recovering from a hand injury, he won the rookie class at Monza in Italian F4.
Real Racing
Real Racing joined E4 in 2024 and finished ninth in last year’s Teams’ Championship. For 2026, the Romanian team runs one car.
- Knud Nielsen (#41, R) – The Danish rookie continues with Real Racing after stepping up from Rotax karting. He has already shown strong rookie pace in Italian F4, where he sits second in the rookie standings behind Aksoy.
Trident
Trident expanded into F4 over the winter after growing its single-seater programme through FRegional, FIA F3 and FIA F2. The Italian team now uses E4 to strengthen its foundation at the first step of the formula ladder.
- Bernardo Bernoldi (#16, R) – The Brazilian moved from Prema to Trident before UAE4. He has raced in Formula Trophy, UAE4 and Italian F4 during his early single-seater development.
- Florentin Hattemer (#50, R) – The Swiss driver stepped into single-seaters late last year and has shown steady progress. He currently sits fifth in the Italian F4 rookie standings with four class podiums.
- Augustus Toniolo (#51, R) – The Brazilian rookie moved up from junior karting and continues his first full single-seater season with Trident.
- Dominik Šimek (#67, R) – The Czech rookie entered UAE4 before starting Italian F4. He has already recorded a top-10 result in Italian F4 at Monza.
- Lyuboslav Ruykov (#73, R) – The Bulgarian rookie races in both Italian F4 and F4 CEZ. He scored a rookie victory in F4 CEZ at the Red Bull Ring and continues to build experience across both championships.
AKM Motorsport
AKM Motorsport has raced in E4 since 2023 and continues to build its profile in junior single-seaters. The Italian outfit, linked to the Antonelli family, improved last season with Tomass Štolcermanis scoring a best result of seventh at Mugello.
- George Proudford-Nalder (#66, R) – The Australian arrives from British F4, where he currently sits seventh in the standings and recently won at Silverstone to claim the BDRC International Trophy. He also contested the Formula Winter Series and joined Italian F4 at Monza.
- Vittorio Orsini (#88, R) – The Italian rookie finished 20th overall in the Formula Winter Series and claimed a rookie class win at Estoril in wet conditions. He now continues his development in Italian F4 and E4.
Scuderia Buell
Scuderia Buell brings one of the most distinctive backgrounds on the grid. The name dates back to 1958, when Carroll Shelby drove a Maserati T3 in the Portuguese Grand Prix. In its modern form, the Mugello-based team has focused heavily on the United States through F4 US and Ligier JFC.
This year, Scuderia Buell adds a European programme across F4 CEZ and E4.
- Joaquín Rubino (#52) – The Argentine driver enters E4 after racing in South America. He won Fórmula Renault Plus, scored podiums in Fórmula 2 Argentina and currently sits second in the FX Pro Series with one win and three further podiums. Vallelunga marks his first start in current-generation F4 machinery.
A season of opportunity
The 2026 E4 Championship arrives with a deep and varied grid. Prema Racing carries the strongest record in the series, while US Racing brings the current Italian F4 leader in Sammalisto and several proven race winners. R-ace GP, VAR, PHM Racing, Trident and AKM Motorsport all add further depth, and the rookie field looks especially competitive.
E4’s compact calendar also gives every race extra weight. With only three rounds, drivers cannot afford slow starts, messy Qualifying sessions or missed finals. At the same time, the championship gives young racers exactly what they need most: more starts, more pressure, more wheel-to-wheel battles and more chances to prove themselves.
For drivers chasing momentum in Italian F4, rookies trying to accelerate their development, and teams looking to test their depth, the 2026 E4 Championship should again become one of Europe’s most valuable junior single-seater battlegrounds.
