Following its maiden season last year, the MP Motorsport-run Indian F4 championship is aiming to welcome more drivers in 2024. To fulfill this goal, the promoters have launched the Formula 4 Global Shootout Program, which will take place in July in France. Feeder Series spoke to Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL) chairman and series promoter Akhilesh Reddy about the new competition.

By Perceval Wolff

Last year, India made history by launching the first FIA-certified single-seater championship in the country. GB4 runner-up Cooper Webster took the title in front of locals Rishon Rajeev and Akshay Bohra. After welcoming from ten to twelve cars at each round, the promoters know this is only a starting point.

“Last year, half of our grid was international,” Reddy said to Feeder Series. “For the first season, we had six drivers making their debut, some of them won races and showed their potential and ability to transfer their skills from karting to single-seaters. MP Motorsport’s support and experience proved invaluable, and the drivers got a great experience both on and off track, some of them discovering India for the first time.”

“For 2024, we look to expand the grid to 16 seats, we want to continue to attract more international drivers to our championship, and the FGSP is a step in that direction.”

FGSP: ten drivers, ten winners?

In May, the promoters announced the launch of the Formula 4 Global Shootout Program, a competition to secure a fully sponsored drive in Indian F4, inspired by the likes of FEED Racing in French F4 or Richard Mille in Spanish F4.

However, it is important to note that the ten drivers that will be selected to take part to this program in July will all receive at least €15,000. The overall winner will receive an Indian F4 drive worth around €120,000. The runner-up will have 30% of the winner’s scholarship at around €36,000 and the driver in third will have 20% at around €24,000. Is this project financially viable on the long term?

“RPPL is committing close to €300,000 for the shootout alone as everyone who attends the program is assured of a scholarship,” Reddy explained. “Indian F4 is part of the Indian Racing Festival, and we have strong partners with us. We are fully committed to developing the motorsport infrastructure in India.”

“We have held successful roadshows in the Indian cities of Srinagar and Bengaluru recently. The younger generation is particularly interested in motorsports, and we have a growing audience for the sport in India, so there is a lot of incentive for us to continue growing the stature of Indian motorsport, both locally and internationally.”

A French-Indian cooperation

However, this shootout program will take place in France, at the Circuit du Var and not in India. Why this choice?

“RPPL, the organisers of the Indian F4 Championship, are already supporting Indian drivers with their participation in the championship. We aspire to be a leading international championship in this region,” Reddy said. “Last year, our championship attracted drivers from Australia, Singapore and Vietnam, all of whom have progressed to racing in championships like GB3, GB4, FRECA and French F4 in 2024.”

“We found the right partner in AGS, who shares the same enthusiasm for running the FGSP and therefore we settled on France.”

The FGSP will be co-organized by former F1 team AGS, who scored two points in the Formula One World Championship between 1986 and 1991 with Roberto Moreno and Gabriele Tarquini. AGS then became a specialist of single-seater training courses at the Circuit du Var and at historic racing competitions.

With a French driving school, a French track, and using a chassis made by French manufacturer Mygale, it is fair to say that Indian F4 is having strong French influences. Are there any connections with the FFSA to do driver exchanges, with some Indian drivers going to France and some French drivers going to India?

“The French F4 Championship is a natural transition for drivers participating in the Indian championship if they want to race in Europe as a continuation of their career. Both championships operate on a similar philosophy of academy structure and use the same car, so there is a lot of synergy.”

“As an example, one driver who raced in Indian F4 last year is now racing in French F4. We hope that drivers racing in the French championship will come to India in the future.”

Feeder Series understands the existence of some talks between both Federations, regarding some drivers that are set to make their full-time racing debut in French F4 in 2025, such as Alpine Rac(H)er driver Lisa Billard. Competing in Indian F4 at the end of 2024 would offer good preparation with the same car.

Who will be the chosen ones?

Of course, this kind of shootout often attracts a lot of drivers keen to launch their single-seater career. “In less than 30 days since the program was announced, we have over 160 applicants from around the world applying for the shootout,” Reddy revealed. “They range from drivers racing in international karting championships to sim racers and everything in between.”

“All applicants are given an initial screening with a set of standard questions. We shortlist applicants based on their feedback. The main criterion for eligibility is that the applicants are or will be 15 years old before the start of the Indian championship and have not participated in more than two timed events anywhere aside from karting, since 2022.”

Asked whether this FGSP would return every year, Reddy said, “We would like to continue offering the FGSP in the coming years. Maybe conduct one in India, for Asia-Pacific region, and one in Europe so that it is easier for people to reach out.”

The Formula 4 Global Shootout Program will take place at the Circuit du Var from 9 to 11 July, featuring ten drivers that will be assessed on their physical and mental capacities and their simulator and on-track performance.

Header photo credit: Indian F4 / RPPL