The 2024 French F4 Championship got underway at Nogaro. The first trend emerged with Jules Caranta taking power from Yani Stevenheydens and Taito Kato, but many other young drivers will have their say in Round 2 at Lédenon.
Located just a few kilometres from Nîmes, Lédenon is a regular stop-off point for the FFSA Academy and the highly sought-after FIA-certified French F4 Championship. Frequently held in September after the summer break, the joint meeting with the French GT Championship this time takes place in the spring, during the Ascension long weekend from 10th to 12th May. This winter, the toboggan-like track in the Gard region has been given a facelift with brand new tarmac. For drivers who had already raced at Lédenon in 2023, this could mean a change in their reference points.
A very open championship
Jules Caranta left the Easter Cup at Nogaro with a double podium finish, including a victory, and the title of provisional Championship leader. Having just emerged from a brilliant international karting career, the young hopeful from the Var region knows that the season promises to be a long one and is not triumphant just yet. Indeed, Belgian Yani Stevenheydens proved to be extremely competitive in the Gers, with a double position and a victory to his name.
Several Japanese drivers have already shone in previous editions of the French F4 Championship, and Taito Kato looks capable of following in the footsteps of his compatriots, such as Ayumu Iwasa, who was crowned Champion in 2020. Rayan Caretti made a name for himself at Easter by accompanying Caranta and Kato on the podium of Race 3 at Nogaro, and it’s clear that the Thai won’t want to stop there.
With 13 nations represented, the F4 Championship promises to be a highly international affair, as the 21 other drivers entered this season will be hungry for a podium finish at Lédenon. Among them will be rookie Alexandre Munoz, who will have just turned 15 when he takes to the track for his first single-seater race.
> Lédenon 2024 F4 programme
Friday 10th May: Free Practice (09:05 – 09:35) and Qualifying (15:05 – 15:30)
Saturday 11th May: Race 1 (09:45 – 10:15) and Race 2 (15:55 – 16:25)
Sunday 12th May: Race 3 (09:10 – 09:40)
> Race duration: 20 minutes + 1 lap
> Mygale single-seater, Renault turbo engine, Pirelli tyres, 100% renewable Repsol fuel.
> Provisional French F4 Championship standings
1 Jules Caranta (France) 40 points
2 Yani Stevenheydens (Belgium) 35 points
3 Taito Kato (Japan) 33 points
4 Rayan Caretti (Thailand) 28 points
5 Leonardo Megna (Italy) 20 points
6 Jason Leung (Canada) 14 points
7 Dylan Estre (France) 12 points
8 Chester Kieffer (Luxembourg) 11 points
9 Montego Maassen (Germany) 4 points
9 Karel Schulz (France) 4 points
11 Augustin Bernier (France) 2 points
11 Jules Roussel (France) 2 points
13 Arthur Dorison (France) 1 point
Frank Porte Ruiz (Andorra)
Enzo Caldaras (France)
Louis Schlesser (France)
Edouard Borgna (France)
Mathilda Paatz (Germany)
Roméo Leurs (France)
Gabriel Doyle-Parfait (Great Britain)
Arjun Chheda (India)
Tom Le Brech (France)
Alex O’Grady (Ireland)
Paul Roques (France)
Alexandre Munoz (France)
Follow the races live on www.ffsaacademy.org.
