The opening round of the 2026 UIM F4 World Championship at Mons, Belgium, has been cancelled due to ongoing construction work at the Grand Large race circuit.
The event was scheduled for May 16-17 as the first of three World Championship rounds. The F4 Powerboat Series confirmed the cancellation, stating that local organisers MonsNauteam took the decision after determining that construction at the race site would not be completed in time for the championship opener.
MonsNauteam decided to announce this early to minimise disruption to travel plans and provide ample notice to all involved.
— F4 Powerboat Series
Championship Impact
The cancellation reduces the confirmed 2026 F4 World Championship to two rounds. The season now opens at Klaipėda, Lithuania on June 5-7, where F4 will race alongside the UIM F2 World Championship. The remaining round takes place at Viverone, Italy on August 7-9.
The UIM F4 European Championship at Aluksne, Latvia on July 3-5 is unaffected.
Mons hosted F4 racing in 2025, when the World Championship opened at the Grand Large circuit in August. The Powerboat News 2026 championship calendar has been updated to reflect the cancellation.
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.
