Update: both disqualifications covered in this article were overturned on protest. Wrenkler and Slakteris have been reinstated and the podium reverts to its original order. Read the reinstatement story.
Attila Horváth and Oliver Martin have been promoted to second and third place in the 2026 UIM F4 European Championship at Alüksne, after post-race technical inspection disqualified Adam Wrenkler and Ardis Slakteris.
Nils Slakteris’s championship win is unaffected. He finished first in every scored heat and takes the title regardless of the revised places behind him.
According to a statement from the official F4 Powerboat Series Facebook page, both disqualified boats were found to have blueprinted engines and non-standard electrical controls, modifications not permitted under F4 class rules. The official results sheet cites UIM rules 543.09.16 and 543.10.3. Rule 543.10 explicitly excludes several 543.09 permissions, including item 16, for low emission engines, the category F4 falls under. Rule 543.10.3 requires electrical components and control system performance to remain standard.
The UIM has not stated whether either finding was deliberate.
| Pos | Driver | Nat | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nils Slakteris | LAT | 1200 |
| 2 | Attila Horváth | HUN | 600 |
| 3 | Oliver Martin | FIN | 317 |
| 4 | Noel Vänttinen | FIN | 252 |
| 5 | Matas Kvizikevicius | LTU | 220 |
| 6 | Niklāvs Rimeicāns | LAT | 184 |
| 7 | Renārs Spacs | LAT | 167 |
| 8 | Roberts Minings | LAT | 142 |
| 9 | Torsten Stangenberg | GER | 110 |
| 10 | Paulius Stainys | LTU | 95 |
| 11 | Arthur Sundback | FIN | 82 |
| DSQ | Adam Wrenkler | SWE | 750 |
| DSQ | Ardis Slakteris | LAT | 489 |
Horváth, on boat number 22, had finished third on the water and moves up to silver. Martin, on boat number 45, had finished fifth and takes bronze.
Wrenkler finished second on the water in Boat 5. Ardis Slakteris, younger brother of the new champion, had finished fourth in Boat 51.
Original Race Report
Read the full account of Nils Slakteris sealing the title at Alüksne, including the heat-by-heat breakdown of the deciding weekend.
Nils Slakteris Wins 2026 F4 European Title
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.
