The 2026 Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship makes its grand return this weekend at Winton Motor Raceway, featuring a competitive grid of 18 cars to take on the regional Victorian circuit.
Starting from 1-3 May, the five-round Championship is set to showcase a compelling mix of emerging Australian prospects and international rising stars eager to make their mark in open-wheel categories.
The Championship opener at Winton will continue to build on the category’s growing stature on the domestic and international stages.
Among the list of drivers confirmed, Polish sensation Borys Lyzen provides strong, international flair and will be a competitor to keep an eye on in 2026.
The 15-year-old brings impressive European credentials, recently claimed wins in the Spanish Formula 4 Winter Series at Jarama.
With additional podium success in Valencia and recognition as a finalist in the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy, Lyzen’s presence underscores AU4’s increasing appeal as a destination for globally competitive junior drivers.
There will be no shortage of Trans-Tasman rivalry, with three of New Zealand’s brightest young talents joining the grid.
Marco Manson arrives as the reigning NZ Formula Ford Champion after a dominant rookie campaign, while William Beck and Jackson Culver add further depth to the kiwi stocks.
Culver, at just 14 years of age, has demonstrated impressive speed in pre-season testing, forming part of the next wave of junior talent emerging through the Oceanic ranks.
Reigning Gen1 class Champion and 2025 Motorsport Australia Young Driver of the Year Jensen Marold also returns to the grid for AGI Sport, making the jump to Gen2 with a new raft of goals for the coming season.
“Returning to AGI truly feels like coming home,” Marold said.
“It’s the team I won my Gen1 Championship with last year, and stepping back into a familiar, trusted environment means everything to me.
“My goals for 2026 are clear: fight for the championship, set the record for most race wins, and keep pushing myself to grow and evolve as a driver every single round.”
The Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship structure continues to play a crucial role in this development pipeline.
The Gen1 category introduces drivers as young as 14 to national-level competition, while the more advanced Gen2 machinery aligns with global Formula 4 standards for drivers aged 15 and above.
On track, the weekend format promises no shortage of action.
Drivers will face a double qualifying session on Saturday morning following extensive practice and testing, which will set the grid for the opening races.
Three sprint races across Saturday and Sunday, each run over 25 minutes plus one lap, will test consistency, racecraft, and adaptability.
The 2026 Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship season opener shapes up as a pivotal weekend for Australian motorsport.
Schedule
Thursday, 30th April 2026 – Practice Day
9.00 – 12.00 – AU4 Testing Open Pit Lane (3 hours)
13.00 – 16.00 – AU4 Testing Open Pit Lane (3 hours)
16.00 – 16.30 – AU4 Start Practice
Friday, 1st May 2026 – Practice Day
09.55 – 10.25 (30 mins) – AU4 Free Practice #1
12.10 – 12.40 (30 mins) – AU4 Free Practice #2
15.30 – 15.45 (15 mins) – AU4 Official Practice
Saturday, May 2, 2026 – Qualifying & Race 1
10:15 – 10:30: AU4 – Qualifying #1 (15 mins)
10:35 – 10:50: AU4 – Qualifying #2 (15 mins)
15:00 – 15:30: AU4 Race 1 (25 mins + 1 lap)
Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Race 2 & 3
10:30 – 11:00: AU4 Race 2 (25 mins + 1 lap)
14:15 – 14:45: AU4 Race 3 (25 mins + 1 lap)
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