The 2026 Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship is set to make a spectacular return this weekend at Winton Motor Raceway, featuring an exciting lineup of 18 cars ready to tackle the regional Victorian circuit.
Commencing from 1-3 May, this five-round Championship will highlight a captivating blend of rising Australian talents and international stars eager to establish themselves in the open-wheel racing scene.
The opening round at Winton aims to further enhance the category’s growing reputation both domestically and globally.
Among the roster of confirmed drivers, Polish standout Borys Lyzen imparts a distinct international appeal and stands out as a competitor to watch throughout 2026.
The 15-year-old boasts impressive credentials from Europe, having recently triumphed in the Spanish Formula 4 Winter Series at Jarama.
With further podium finishes in Valencia and being named a finalist in the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy, Lyzen’s involvement highlights AU4’s escalating attractiveness as a launchpad for globally competitive young drivers.
Fans can also expect fierce Trans-Tasman competition, with three of New Zealand’s brightest young prospects joining the field.
Marco Manson enters as the reigning NZ Formula Ford Champion after an outstanding rookie season, while William Beck and Jackson Culver are additional promising talents from New Zealand.
Culver, at the young age of 14, has shown remarkable pace during pre-season testing, representing the next generation of junior talent emerging from the Oceanic racing scene.
The reigning Gen1 class Champion and 2025 Motorsport Australia Young Driver of the Year, Jensen Marold, is also back on the grid for AGI Sport, making the progression to Gen2 with a fresh set of ambitions for the upcoming season.
“Coming back to AGI feels like returning home,” Marold expressed.
“It’s the team I secured my Gen1 Championship title with last year, and rejoining such a familiar and trusted environment means the world to me.
“My objectives for 2026 are straightforward: contend for the championship, break the record for most race victories, and continuously push myself to develop and grow as a driver every round.”
The structure of the Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship continues to be an essential component of this talent development pathway.
The Gen1 category serves up a platform for drivers as young as 14 to engage in national-level competition, whereas the more advanced Gen2 vehicles comply with global Formula 4 standards for those aged 15 and over.
This weekend’s format promises to be action-packed on track.
Drivers will participate in a double qualifying session Saturday morning following comprehensive practice and testing to establish starting positions for the initial races.
Three sprint races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, each lasting 25 minutes plus one lap, will challenge participants in terms of consistency, racecraft, and adaptability.
The season opener for the 2026 Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship promises to be a pivotal moment 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, 2nd May 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, 3rd May 2026 – Races 2 & 3
10:30 – 11:00: AU4 Race 2 (25 mins + 1 lap)
14:15 – 14:45: AU4 Race 3 (25 mins + 1 lap)
Compiled by SportArena.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.au.
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