2nd February 2016 – Dubai, the United Arab Emirates:

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Chairman of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare, has officially launched today the FIA Accredited Formula 4 Championship in the Untired Arab Emirates, the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa. The Championship is the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa.

On the launch of Formula 4 UAE, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak noted that “the UAE is a world pioneer in motorsport with a remarkable international reputation for organizing and managing world championships, marked by the quality and popularity of participation in motorsport events hosted in the UAE. Formula 4 UAE is yet another great achievement for our nation. Develping the new generation talents especially young Emiratis is  a main factor in sustaining the level of motor sport in the UAE. I would like to thank the motor sport officials led by Mohammed ben Sulayem for their keenness to improv motorsport in the UAE according to the highest international standards”.

ATCUAE is the only officially nominated representative of the FIA in the UAE, and is accredited by the UAE National Olympic Committee as a supervisor of motorsport in the UAE.

Formula 4 UAE Championship is aimed at young drivers from 15 years old in the FIA MENA region. Based in the UAE, the Championship will feature 18 races held over 6 events at Yas Marina and Dubai Autodrome Circuits, starting in October 2016 until March 2017, almost on a monthly basis.

H.E Mohammed ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE stated: “The UAE is the first in the Middle East and Africa to attract the Formula 4 Championship and this due to many factors including its qualified motor sport infrastructure in addition to the capabilities and expertise in managing such prestigious events. I would like to thank H.E Sheikh Nahyan for his continuous support for all the efforts aiming at the development of Motor sport in the country”. 

“I would also like to personally thank the FIA President Jean Todt for the trust and support he has granted to us”, continued Ben Sulayem, “The FIA’s global Formula 4 project came from his initiative and leadership, and I am excited to see the long term positive effects it will have on motorsport in the UAE and wider MENA region over the next few years.” continued Ben Sulayem

“The Formula 4 UAE Championship is an exceptional addition to motorsport in the UAE. It is the first international championship that gives motorsport drivers from the age of 15 a chance to prove their talents and would be their first step to a career in motorsports”. Added Ben Sulayem

The FIA main objective of developing championship which are established by local ASNs and their partners is to keep cost at an affordable level and maintain the highest standards of safety. The F4 UAE will be organized according to FIA regulations.

Starting from the age of 15, drivers holding national racing license or any other license issued by national motorsport federations in the FIA MENA region are eligible to participate in the F4 UAE Championship.

The Formula 4 UAE is open for all MENA racing licensed drivers, amateur drivers who never participated in Rookie championships, and licensed drivers from outside MENA region.

The ATCUAE governs approximately 140 competitive events forming the UAE motorsport calendar.

The ATCUAE is the country’s representative of the FIA, automobile sport's world governing body, and its motorcycling and karting equivalents, the FIM and CIK respectively. Its primary responsibilities are to promote the safe and sustainable growth of motorsport in the UAE, and to ensure all events are run fairly and to regulation.