FIA FR Americas, F4 U.S. and Ligier Junior Formula Championship: Strong Season Kickoff at NOLA

The 2026 seasons of the FIA Formula Regional Americas Championship, F4 U.S. Championship, and Ligier Junior Formula Championship got underway on April 10–12 at NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. A total of 37 Ligier single-seaters took to the track across the three series, marking a strong and competitive opening weekend.

With three races per series and drivers representing nine countries, the event highlighted both the depth of the field and the growing international appeal of the Ligier development ladder in North America.

A Competitive and International Grid

A total of 37 cars lined up across the three championships, with drivers coming from the United States, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina. The F4 U.S. Championship stood out as the most international series, with six different nationalities represented on the grid.

This diversity reflects the increasing reach of the championships and their role as key stepping stones for young drivers aiming to progress through the single-seater ranks.

Ligier Junior Formula Championship: A New Generation Takes the Spotlight.

The opening round also marked the competitive debut of the second-generation Ligier Junior Formula Championship car, derived from the Ligier JS F422.

Edward Kennedy delivered a standout performance in the new-generation class, claiming victory in all three races. Starting from the back of the grid each time, he charged through the field to secure three overall wins, showcasing both his racecraft and the performance of the new car.

In the Gen 1 class, featuring the Ligier JS F4, Jacir Beckham and Lazaro Bainotti shared the victories, with Beckham taking two wins and Bainotti one.

The weekend also featured two female drivers, Ava Hansen and Ella White, both competing in the Gen 1 class. Hansen delivered a strong performance, securing two fourth-place finishes and her first podium in the championship.

KIWI Motorsports Sets the Pace in F4 U.S.

KIWI Motorsports dominated the F4 U.S. Championship, securing six of the nine available podium positions. Canadian driver Caleb Campbell stood out with three race wins, while South Africa's Zach Fourie finished second in all three races, completing a consistent and competitive weekend for the team.

FIA Formula Regional Americas: Multiple Winners Highlight Strong Competition

The FIA Formula Regional Americas Championship delivered a highly competitive opening round, with three different teams claiming victories across the three races.

Reigning 2025 F4 U.S. champion Cooper Shipman, driving for KIWI Motorsports, took one win and added a second- and third-place finish to his weekend tally. Brady Golan (Toney Driver Development) and Evagoras Papasavvas (Crosslink Motorsports) secured the other two victories.

With multiple teams reaching the top step of the podium, the championship once again demonstrated its depth and competitiveness as a platform for emerging talent.

Ligier Single-Seaters at the Core of Driver Development

Across all three championships, Ligier single-seaters — including the Ligier JS F3, Ligier JS F422, and Ligier JS F4 — provide a consistent, high-performance platform designed to meet international standards in safety, reliability, and performance.

These cars play a central role in the development of young drivers, offering a structured and competitive environment as they progress through the motorsport ladder.

Next Stop: Road America

Following a strong opening weekend in New Orleans — “The Big Easy” — the three championships now head to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for rounds four, five, and six on May 16–17.

With momentum building and competition already intense across all categories, the 2026 season is set to deliver another exciting chapter in North American single-seater racing.

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