CAMS can today confirm the CAMS Australian Formula 4 Championship will not take place in 2020.

Since its debut in 2015, the Championship has witnessed the rise of a number of future stars of the sport, however the low grid numbers have meant the category is unable to continue in its current form.

CAMS CEO Eugene Arocca acknowledged the challenges the category has faced, but also celebrated its many successes over the past four years.

“There are many drivers who competed in the Formula 4 category who excelled and have gone on to make a name for themselves in a host of different senior categories,” Arocca said.

“Those graduates include Will Brown, who is thriving across TCR, Super2 and as a Supercars endurance driver, Super2 drivers Tyler Everingham, Zane Goddard, Brenton Grove, Thomas Randle, Jack Smith, while Liam Lawson is now part of the Red Bull junior development program in F3 in Europe. That shows that Formula 4 has certainly provided a strong development pathway.

“However, it is fair to say the category has not lived up to our expectations when it comes to the number of competitors we expected to see on the grid. Ultimately, our market was not able to sustain consistently high grid numbers and the inevitable appeal for young Australians to go directly overseas and compete in championships with much higher grid numbers was always an issue.

“While it’s disappointing the category won’t continue in 2020, there may be a possibility for it to return depending on future interest and support for the category, given its global standing in the Formula pathway. We have learnt some important lessons that will help shape any future plans for the category.”

Arocca explained CAMS would now look towards building a new development program in 2020, to ensure young drivers are given every chance to prove themselves at the highest level.

“We know how important it is to invest in motor sport’s future to ensure our sport thrives and our talented junior competitors are given every opportunity to excel,” Arocca said.

“We want to find the next Daniel Ricciardo or Jamie Whincup and help foster growth in the participation of the sport at junior levels. Our role is to now work closely with all stakeholders to find the best way forward and understand where best to invest in our future stars.”

Arocca also thanked those who have worked tirelessly in the Formula 4 paddock, including teams, drivers, sponsors, and their family members.

“Our teams, in particular AGI Sport and Team BRM who have been at every round since the category’s debut in 2015, have worked tirelessly with us to help develop these young drivers, together with our most recent teams, Astuti Motorsport, Patrizicorse who arrived in the category in 2018. Thanks should also go to former teams JRD, DREAM and Zagame," Arocca added.

"The Championship's sponsors also deserve our gratitude for their loyal support - to PAYCE, Castrol, Hankook, Famous Insurance and Burson Auto Parts, thank you."

CAMS will announce details around its future development programs in the coming months, following extensive consultation within the industry both locally and overseas.