After the championship did not go through as planned in 2022, the ACCR Formula 4 series is back in 2023. Due to the still ongoing FIA certification process, the series will start as the ACCR Czech Formula. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the inaugural season. 

By Jan Husmann

With ADAC F4 folding at the end of 2022, there was hope that ACCR F4 could fill the void left behind by ADAC F4. Last year’s season was cancelled due to delivery delays of the new Tatuus cars. 

In 2023, the season was set to start in early April in Oschersleben. But as the season is still finalising its FIA Formula 4 certification, the opening weekend was cancelled and replaced with a round at Balaton Park at the end of the season. 

This weekend, the series comes to the Hungaroring for the first race of the first season of what is now officially called the ACCR Czech Formula. Only six drivers are on the entry list for the weekend. Surely, the organisers were hoping for a bigger turnout, but the most important part is to finally get the series underway.

The calendar

As mentioned above, Round 1 in Oschersleben was replaced by the final round at Balaton Park. The opening two rounds will take place on the Formula 1 tracks at the Hungaroring and in Spielberg, giving the young drivers relevant experience for future series.

• Round 1: Hungaroring (28-30 April)
• Round 2: Red Bull Ring (19-21 May)
• Round 3: Automotodróm Slovakia Ring (9-11 June)
• Round 4: Autodrom Most (4-6 August)
• Round 5: Brno Circuit (8-10 September) 
• Round 6: Balaton Park (6-8 October) 

The format

Four of the six race weekends will have two races, with the rounds at Most and Balaton Park having three races. There are multiple practice sessions and one qualifying session, with the qualifying results setting the grid for Race 1. 

The grid for Race 2 is set by the results of race one and in case there is a third race on a given weekend, the grid for this race will be determined by the second fastest lap the drivers set in the qualifying session.

The number of points given out is equal for all races with the winner collecting 25 points down to 1 point for tenth place, analogous to Formula 1.

Teams and drivers

Jenzer Motorsport

The Swiss Jenzer Motorsport team is bringing two drivers from their Formula 4 program to the first round of the ACCR Czech Formula. 

Ethan Isher (#27) raced with the team in last year’s Italian and ADAC F4 as well as the Formula Winter Series earlier this year. He will compete in ACCR Czech Formula to gather additional experience alongside his second season in Italian F4. 

His teammate for Round 1 is Reno Francot (#28). The 15-year-old recently tested and participated in practice sessions with Jenzer in the Formula Winter Series but will race formula cars competitively for the first time at the Hungaroring.

Renauer Motorsport

Renauer Motorsport recently changed its line-up for the first round of ACCR Czech Formula. Having initially confirmed Jiří Šafránek (#46) and 2021 Formula Nordic champion William Karlsson, the team presented 2022 GB4 champion Nikolas Taylor (#66) as their second driver last week.

Šafránek makes his Formula 4 debut with the team after a decade of karting experience. Taylor is looking to build on his impressive 2022 campaign in a different Formula 4 series. 

Sauter Engineering + Design

After ADAC F4 folding, the family-run team of Sauter Engineering + Design found its new home in ACCR Czech Formula. Team boss/father Stephan Sauter and driver/son Michael Sauter (#21) made notable improvements during the 2022 season and will try to continue their upward trajectory. 

Gender Racing Team

The Hungarian squad is coming into the series with plenty of experience in different formula classes in Hungary. For their ACCR Czech Formula entry they have hired Oliver Michl (#13) whose most notable racing experience comes from six rounds of Spanish F4 in 2021, where he scored two points. 

Where to watch

All races will be livestreamed on the official YouTube channel. Eurosport also holds TV broadcasting rights and could broadcast highlights after the race weekends.

Live timing for round one is provided on chromomoto.hu.

Header photo credit: Daniel Bürgin – Formula Winter Series