The UIM F4 World Championship is the entry-level world championship in UIM circuit powerboat racing, governed by the Union Internationale Motonautique. It runs alongside the UIM F2 World Championship at the same events, providing the first rung of the international circuit powerboat racing ladder. F4 boats are smaller and less powerful than F2 machinery, but run on the same courses and use the same closed-cockpit tunnel-hull concept.
The class has a notably international and youthful entry. The 2026 grid of 19 drivers represents countries across Northern Europe, the UAE, France, Belgium, Slovakia, Hungary, and Latvia, reflecting the UIM’s efforts to grow the sport at grassroots level internationally.
The Boats
UIM F4 boats are single-pilot closed-cockpit tunnel-hull catamarans, scaled down from F2 specification. As in all UIM circuit classes, the pilot is enclosed in a safety cell designed to protect against capsize and impact. The class is designed to be technically accessible while still providing genuine world-championship competition.
How Racing Works
F4 races run as standalone Grands Prix rather than the Sprint Race format used in F1H2O. Points are awarded to the top finishers in each race, with the accumulated total across all four races deciding the world champion. Four races take place across two events in 2026 — two at Klaipeda in June and two at Viverone in August.
The 2026 Championship
Nineteen drivers are entered for 2026. The season has not yet started; Round 1 takes place at Klaipeda, Lithuania on June 5-7. Full 2026 UIM F4 standings, updated after every round, are here.
2026 Drivers
| # | Driver | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Ismat Moani | UAE |
| 5 | Adam Wrenkler | Sweden |
| 7 | Sultan Alfalahi | UAE |
| 8 | William Leithe-Martinsen | Norway |
| 11 | Nida Kilinskaitė | Lithuania |
| 13 | Jean Baptiste-Thomas | France |
| 22 | Attila Horváth | Hungary |
| 27 | Noel Vänttinen | Finland |
| 34 | William Sjöström | Sweden |
| 38 | Benjamin Berti | Belgium |
| 41 | Paulius Stainys | Lithuania |
| 44 | Matas Kvizikevičius | Lithuania |
| 45 | Oliver Martin | Finland |
| 47 | Wilhelm Sundberg | Finland |
| 50 | Laura Lakovica | Latvia |
| 51 | Ardis Slakteris | Latvia |
| 64 | Šimon Jung | Slovakia |
| 71 | Arthur Sundbäck | Finland |
| 93 | Niklavs Rimeicans | Latvia |
2026 Calendar
F4 races at the same events as UIM F2. The calendar below shows both series’ shared rounds.
Follow the 2026 UIM F4 Season
All UIM F4 Coverage
Race reports, results, and championship analysis throughout 2026.
UIM F4 on Powerboat NewsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the UIM F4 World Championship?
The UIM F4 World Championship is the entry-level world championship in UIM circuit powerboat racing, governed by the Union Internationale Motonautique. It is the first rung of the international circuit powerboat ladder, running at the same events as UIM F2.
How does F4 differ from F2?
F4 boats are smaller and less powerful than F2 machinery, but use the same closed-cockpit tunnel-hull design and race on the same courses. F4 is designed to be technically accessible while still providing genuine world championship competition.
How many drivers compete in F4?
Nineteen drivers from across Europe and the Middle East are entered for the 2026 UIM F4 World Championship.
When does the 2026 F4 season start?
The 2026 UIM F4 World Championship opens at Klaipeda, Lithuania on June 5-7, 2026, with two races on the same weekend.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
