The full 2019 CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship calendar has today been confirmed, with the championship racing at Albert Park and The Bend Motorsport Park for the first time.

As revealed in today’s Herald Sun in Melbourne, Formula 4’s season opener will take place at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 on 14–17 March. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation formally welcomed the championship to its support category line-up yesterday in Melbourne.

The Australian Grand Prix round will feature two practice sessions, qualifying for the Castrol Pole Position, and three races.

Upon feedback and consultation across the last few seasons, drivers and teams will experience more track time than ever before as the championship adopts a condensed calendar of six rounds over four weekends.

Visiting the Shannons Nationals throughout 2019, there will be four races at May’s round at Sydney Motorsport Park. A maximum of 100 championship points will be on offer for the round winner.

The popular double-rounds will occur twice in 2019, with six races to take place at the exhilarating Phillip Island circuit in June.

Australian Formula 4 will also visit South Australia’s The Bend Motorsport Park for the first time at the Shannons Nationals in July. The final two rounds of the championship will take place across six races at the breathtaking facility.

The Shannons Nationals is expected to further grow in 2019, with the addition of TCR Australia and the S5000 Championship added to the list of premier Australian categories.

Driver support will continue in 2019, with two prestigious CAMS Rising Star positions on offer valued at $50,000 each. A further ten CAMS Driver Assistance packages are also available, valued at $12,000 each. The funds will be used towards a driver’s budget in the 2019 CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship.

The CAMS Rising Star application form is available for download here.

Also unveiled was the confirmation of a Formula 4 Asia Pacific Cup, to be held in China at the end of the year with the year’s top three drivers to be offered a place in the event. A World Cup is also on the cards for the world’s best Formula 4 drivers.

Any drivers interested in taking part in Formula 4 next year, including for opportunities at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019, should contact David Corrigan: (03) 9593 7783 or via email [email protected].

2019 CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship Calendar
Round 1: Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, 14-17 March
Round 2: Sydney Motorsport Park, 17-19 May - Four Races at Shannons Nationals
Rounds 3 & 4: Phillip Island, 6-9 June - Double Round at Shannons Nationals
Rounds 5 & 6: The Bend, 12-14 July - Double Round at Shannons Nationals

Quotes
CAMS General Manager of Motor Sport – Michael Smith

“We’re absolutely thrilled to start the fifth season of the CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship, under the backdrop of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. This category’s the first step out of karts for many out of our drivers, and I couldn’t think of a better event for a driver to enjoy their first circuit race than Albert Park.”

“For 2019, we took onboard a lot of feedback from drivers and teams – past and present – in terms of how we could change the format of Formula 4. Overwhelmingly, drivers wanted more track time. Given the age of our drivers, a shorter calendar also suits a driver’s school commitments around their racing program.

“The Shannons Nationals is the perfect platform to run at some of Australia’s best tracks, for more running time. With the addition of Formula 4 alongside TCR Australia and S5000, the Shannons Nationals has something for everybody.”