F4 France: A Record 32-Car Ligier JS F422 Grid Kicks Off the 2026 Season.
The 2026 French F4 Championship, organized by the FFSA Academy, gets underway 4-6 April at Nogaro as part of the traditional Coupes de Pâques event. A full grid of 32 Ligier JS F422 cars marks the opening round, setting a new record for the series.
This season opener highlights the growing appeal of the French F4 Championship, a key step in the motorsport development ladder and a benchmark for training the next generation of drivers.
A Highly Competitive and International Field
With drivers representing 15 nationalities, the 2026 grid showcases the championship's strong international reach. The level of competition is expected to be particularly high, combining experienced drivers with promising newcomers.
Ten returning drivers are back this season, aiming to build on the experience gained in 2025. Several of them already demonstrated their potential with podium finishes and race wins, including Guillaume Bouzar, who claimed victory at Lédenon last year.
The new generation is equally impressive, with top talents stepping up from karting. Among them is Thibaut Ramaekers, the 2025 FIA Karting World Champion in the OK category, making his single-seater debut. He is joined by Yuval Rosen, winner of the Volant Feed program, further illustrating the championship's role as a gateway to higher levels of competition.
Record Female Representation
Another standout feature of the 2026 season is the record presence of ten female drivers on the grid — the highest in the championship's history.
Several drivers return after a strong first season, including Annabelle Brian, Sofia Zanfari, Angelina Proenca, and Héloïse Goldberg. Clara Stiebleichinger also returns to the Ligier JS F422 after competing in the Indian F4 Championship.
Already on the grid last year, Lisa Billard and Jade Jacquet continue their progression while also competing in F1 Academy with ART Grand Prix, highlighting the growing connections between development series. They are joined this season by newcomers Ginevra Panzeri, Automn Fisher, and Isabella Abreu.
The Ligier JS F422 at the Heart of Driver Development
As the official supplier of the French F4 Championship since 2018, Ligier Automotive plays a central role in driver development with the Ligier JS F422 — a single-seater designed to deliver performance, safety, and reliability.
Used across the entire championship, the JS F422 provides a consistent and competitive platform, enabling young drivers to develop their skills in a controlled and demanding environment.
With a record-breaking grid, strong international diversity, and a new wave of emerging talent, the 2026 season is set to be another key milestone for F4 France and the broader motorsport development pathway.
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Photo credit: © KSP Reportages / F4 France / FFSA Academy