Czech driver Martin Knápek has become the first winner of the F4 CEZ Academy. Launched by F4 CEZ earlier this year, the programme puts young drivers through their paces to identify talent and prepare them for future seasons of the championship.

By Nida Anis

Organised by series promoter Josef Křenek, the F4 CEZ Academy follows in the footsteps of the FormulaStar and RaceStar projects, which also aimed to discover and develop regional racing talent. The programme aims to provide opportunities for identified drivers to compete in future F4 CEZ seasons.

Drivers were evaluated through a mixture of physical fitness tests, mock media interviews, simulator training at Luka Motorsport and a Formula 4 test session with SAPE Motorsport at Circuit Most. Knápek, who is trained by Czech rally driver Jan Černý, emerged victorious ahead of Marek Mičík and karting driver Michelle Jandova, who will be stepping up to formula cars in this year’s F4 CEZ championship.

The F4 CEZ Academy is unique in that it runs throughout the year, allowing other interested drivers to apply and participate as the season progresses. This also allows drivers who have only completed part of the F4 CEZ Academy programme, such as Natálie Jakuševová, Jan Dvořák, Matyáš Sovička and Eliška Pytlounová, the chance to finish it.

The championship will also continue to support the current crop of graduates, offering them open doors to participate in F4 CEZ, ESET Cup, Twingo Cup, Clio Cup, and other race weekends as assistants or racers.

Knápek “already looking forward to the new opportunities”

Knápek’s victory now provides him with the opportunity to participate in the 2024 F4 CEZ championship under what the series promoters describe as “favourable conditions.” The 17-year-old driver also has the chance to test a Renault Twingo during a Twingo Cup race weekend, as he was the fastest driver in the final simulator race.

“I really liked the whole academy concept from the start,” Knápek said in an F4 CEZ press release. “Every Saturday, we met and improved everything that a racing driver should manage. I think we got along well with the other drivers and formed a good team.”

Knápek expanded upon the differences in physical preparation between rallycross and Formula 4 racing and the adjustment that had to take place.

“Initially, the most challenging part for me was the physical preparation with coach Jindřiška. Although I was used to exercising from rallycross, the g-forces in Formula [4] are much greater, and the training was adjusted accordingly. However, I improved over time.”

When considering his favourite part of the academy, Knápek was quick to answer a few key parts.

“The media preparation was one of my favourite parts of the academy, but none of it compares to the test with the F4, which I will never forget,” he explained. “Driving a formula car is incomparable to anything I’ve experienced before. I’m already looking forward to the new opportunities that winning the F4 academy opens up for me.”

The first race of the 2024 F4 CEZ championship will take place on the 27-28 April at Balaton Park Circuit in Hungary. Five drivers are currently announced, with AS Motorsport and Jenzer Motorsport yet to reveal their line-ups for the season.

Header photo credit: F4 CEZ