NEWS

Macau Grand Prix invitational highlight of revitalized F4 South East Asia Championship

Aug 21,2023
• Formula Regional Asian and Middle East and F4 UAE promoter Top Speed takes reins of all-new championship
• Four-stop, 11-race 2023 calendar includes three tracks in China and Malaysia
• Top finishers earn scaled Super License points via special FIA dispensation
• Fiat Abarth-powered Tatuus F4 T421 GEN2 to make debut on Macau Guia street circuit in November


Shanghai, China (August 29, 2023) – The Formula 4 South East Asia Championship Certified by FIA bursts back on to the international junior single seater racing scene this season, with Asia’s preeminent motorsport promoter Top Speed taking the reins. The revitalized championship will race across three circuits in two countries, with a mid-season invitational on the first weekend of the 70th Macau Grand Prix the jewel in its crown. There, the Fiat Abarth-powered Tatuus F4 T421 GEN2, with its FIA homologated Tatuus Halo, will make its debut on the legendary 6.2km Guia street circuit with an intriguing entry of both international and domestic talent.


The top six championship finishers are eligible to score Super License points at a percentage of the standard for the formula via special dispensation from the FIA, granted in view of the post-Covid situation in the region.


The 2023 season, the first since 2019, begins at China’s Zhuzhou International Circuit with pre-event testing, free practice, two qualifying sessions and three 25-minute races on October 27-29. The grid for race one is decided by the classification of the opening qualifying session, with the starting order for race two based on the results with the top eight finishers in reverse order. The grid for the final race is based on the classification of the second qualifying.


The Macau Grand Prix invitational starts with free practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday, November 10, followed by an eight-lap qualification race and a 12-lap main race on the Sunday providing drivers with priceless, early-career experience of the track which hosts the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix - FIA F3 World Cup.


The championship then travels to Malaysia and the FIA Grade I Sepang International Circuit, former home to the country’s Grand Prix, for rounds three and four which revert to the regular three-race format.


Drivers must be at least 15, and hold an FIA International C or National license issue by their respective domestic motorsport association. Creating a level competitive playing field, all drivers compete in the Tatuus F4 T421 GEN2 cars, equipped with a carbon composite monocoque and FIA homologated safety features. The car is powered by an Autotecnica Motori-prepared Fiat Abarth turbocharged 1.4cc, 160hp engine.


The series is partnered by official tire provider, Giti Tires, a long-time Top Speed collaborator and official tire supplier for its other single seater series, the Formula Regional Middle East Championship and F4 UAE Championship.


The F4 South East Asia Championship began in 2016, with the inaugural 2016/17 season won by Indonesian Presley Martono. China’s Daniel Cao lifted the title after the 2017/18 season, with Frenchman Alessandro Ghiretti, who went on to finish third in the Top Speed-run F3 Asian Winter Series in 2019 with Hitech GP. The most recent champion was Irishman Lucca Allen who won the title in 2019.


2023 F4 SOUTH EAST ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA 
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