Italian Formula 4 in 2026 - All You Need to Know
A complete guide to Italian Formula 4 ahead of the 2026 season.
The next Regional Formula 4 Championship to prepare yourselves for is the Italian Formula 4 series with Round 1 fast approaching in Misano (8th-10th May). Here is your complete guide to the Italian series, in which we discuss the format, calendar, and its history.
As in Spanish F4, there are also two extremely talented, young female drivers competing in the Italian series in 2026. We will briefly touch on them in this piece, but be sure to look out for our in-depth piece on the 2026 Italian Formula 4 Female Driver Line-up, coming soon.
Italian F4: An Overview
Italian F4 is regarded as the main and most attractive Formula 4 series globally, especially for young drivers transitioning from karting to single-seater racing. With Italy known as the home of karting, the biggest young talents often look to the series to launch their careers in single-seaters.
Regularly hosting grids of over forty drivers, young drivers are forced to develop quickly in this extremely competitive and high-pressure environment. It’s everyone for themselves in this tightly-packed grid, as they all fight to succeed and climb the ladder to compete on the biggest stage in motorsport.
Italian F4 in History
Italian F4 was founded in 2014, established as the direct successor to the Formula Abarth series, which concluded at the end of 2013. It was the first of the Regional F4 championships to be introduced, as well as the first championship to follow the FIA F4 regulations, marking it as a key junior formula championship.
The Italian series is considered one of the most prestigious and competitive junior categories globally - the most dominant and successful out of all the Regional F4 and junior single-seater series. Its alumni consists of many current or ex Formula 1 drivers, including the likes of Lance Stroll, Ollie Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, and even the 2025 F1 World Champion Lando Norris. This puts the spotlight on the series, with so many young drivers rising through the ranks from the series to the higher formula categories.
Certified by the FIA and heavily backed by Italy’s motorsport federation (ACI Sport) and WSK Promotion, it is supported by major brands such as Pirelli, Tatuus and Abarth. Since the category’s introduction twelve years ago, many drivers have progressed to other categories soon after, including Formula Regional, FIA F3, and even Formula 1. This includes Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, who was crowned Italian F4 Champion in its inaugural season in 2014, becoming the first-ever driver from the series to progress to F1 when he made his debut for Williams in 2017.
Others have gone on to become members of young driver development programmes. Italian F4 has also provided a large stage for young female drivers to get themselves off the mark. This year’s female driver lineup is already familiar with the Italian series, having competed in the series last year. Payton Westcott, for example, earned herself a seat in F1 Academy with Mercedes for 2026 after she impressed many with her performances last season.
Italian F4 is set to host its thirteenth season in 2026. Since its inaugural season in 2014, the championship has evolved from ten teams and twenty-eight drivers to twelve teams and a predicted forty-eight drivers competing in 2026. However, our main focus here is on the three female drivers who will be competing this season: Emily Cotty and Payton Westcott.
Format
Each weekend is divided into seven sessions, with an extra race on Sunday for the top 36 drivers to end the weekend:
The weekend format is dependent on how many drivers participate in an event. The typical weekend format, due to the series’ regularly high number of participants, means the grid is split into two groups, known as series. Both series then have to participate in one of the two qualifying sessions.
At the end of both sessions, a ranking is established. The fastest driver from the first series earns pole position, the fastest from the second series earns P2, the second-fastest from the first series earns P3, and so on.
The drivers are then split into three groups according to their positions: Group A includes those who placed 1st, 4th, 7th, and so on; Group B includes those who finished 2nd, 5th, 8th, and so on; and Group C consists of those in 3rd, 6th, 9th, and so on. Race 1 is contested between groups B and C, Race 2 between groups A and B, and Race 3 between groups A and C.
Once the races are complete, a final classification is established. Points achieved in these three races are added together, with the best 36 drivers then being entered into a final race.
The alternative format, used when there are less drivers competing, is a copy of the format used in Spanish F4. The best lap from Q1 sets the grid for Race 1, the best lap from Q2 sets the grid for Race 2, and the second-best lap from either of the qualifying sessions sets the grid for Race 3.
The Car
Such as in the Spanish F4 Series, Tatuus is the sole vehicle supplier for Italian F4. Since 2022, the championship has been raced with the second generation of single-seater: TATUUS F4-T421.
Tyres: Pirelli P Zero (dry slick tyres), Pirelli Cinturato (wet tyres)
Engine: 1.4 TURBO ABARTHENGINE, 176 hp.
Chassis: TATUUS F4 -T421.
2026 Calendar
The 2026 Italian F4 Championship will host seven rounds and, for the first time since 2017, the championship will be raced exclusively at Italian circuits.
Round 1 – 10 May – Misano
Round 2 – 24 May – Vallelunga
Round 3 – 21 June – Monza
Round 4 – 26 July – Mugello
Round 5 – 6 September – Imola
Round 6 – 20 September – Misano
Round 7 – 25 October – Mugello
The calendar features some of Italy’s most iconic and historic venues, regarded as some of the best across Europe, especially for young drivers progressing in their careers. It includes the Temple of Speed (Monza), famous for its high-speeds, long straights and technical chicanes, and the technically demanding Imola with its fast corners, juxtaposed by the calmness of the surrounding nature.
Next: Meet the Women Competing in the 2026 Italian F4 Championship
Emily Cotty and Payton Westcott are both returning to racing in Italian F4 in 2026. After taking away key learnings in their rookie seasons last year, they now know what to expect from the series, as well as what they need to do to consistently perform well and compete at the front of the crowded field. 2026 is full of hope and promise for these three women.
In our next article: Italian Formula 4 in 2026 - Meet the Female Driver Lineup, we will get to know these female drivers a bit better and unpack their individual journeys to single-seaters.
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