SMP Formula 4

SMP Formula 4 is the FIA Formula 4 auto racing series organized by the Russian motorsport program SMP Racing and the Finnish racing team Koiranen GP . The creation of the championship became known in July 2014 ^[1] , the first season was held in 2015. It is supported by the Russian Automobile Federation . The organizers consider it as a series suitable for the transition from participation in karting to performances in open-wheel vehicles ^{[2] [3]} .

To participate in the Formula-4 NSR are allowed pilots no younger than 15 years old who have a national racing license. Legally, the series has a national status, but in fact it is international: it is focused not only on representatives of Russian motorsport, but also on racers from the countries of Northern Europe - the Baltic States and Scandinavia ^[2] .

Racing cars

Racing cars - the same as in the Italian and German F-4 championships - Tatuus F4-T014 with 160-horsepower FIAT Abarth engines and six- speed transmission ^[4] . Tires are supplied by South Korean manufacturer Hankook ^[5] .

Racing Weekend

The stage is held from Thursday to Sunday. Preparatory work takes place on Thursday, two hours of training are held on Friday, on Saturday a half-hour qualification and the first race, the starting order of which is determined by qualification. On Sunday, this is followed by the second and third races, the start order for each is determined by the results of the previous one. All races last 25 minutes ^[6] .

Scoring

The scoring system in the F-4 NSR is exactly the same as in Formula 1 - 25 points for the first place, 18 for the second, 15 for the third and further according to the scheme 12-10-8-6-4-2-1. Also, riders can get bonus points - one for the pole position and for the best lap in the race ^[6] .

Prizes

The winner of the season is awarded a prize of 350,000 €, which he can spend on participating in European Formula 3 next year. The silver medalist will receive € 150,000, and the third-place winner will receive € 20,000 ^[6] .

2015

The 2015 season began on May 15 at the Ahvenisto circuit ( Hämeenlinna , Finland ) and ended on October 4 at the Auto24ring highway 18 pilots took part in the championship in Audru , Estonia . Three stages took place on Russian routes, two in Finland and two in Estonia. The first Moscow stage was the stage of supporting the WTCC championship.

Finnish Nico Kari, who scored 449 points, became the champion of the debut season, the second place went to the Russian Vladimir Atoev, who lagged behind him by more than 150 points (total 296), the third - Nerses Isahakyan (234 points) who won the fight for the last prize.

2016

The 2016 season began on April 29 in Sochi and ended on September 10 in Ahvenisto . Of the seven stages of the season, three were held in Russia , two in the Netherlands, and one each in Sweden and Finland . In total, 18 riders played in the championship.

The Dutchman Richard Vershur (339 points) became the winner of this year’s series, his compatriot Jarno Opmer (270 points) took the second place, the third - Alexander Vartanyan from Russia (198 points).

2017

In 2017, the first stage of the season took place in Sochi , and the last in the Dutch Assen . Four stages took place in Russia , one each in Finland , Estonia and the Netherlands . 27 riders took part in the season.

The champion of the 2017 season was Dane Christian Lundgaard , who scored 292 points. The silver medalist was the Dutchman Bent Viskaal (218 points), the bronze medal was won by the Russian Alexander Smolyar (217 points).

• Official site of the series
• Series news on paddockscout.com
• News from the series on smpracing.ru