February 13, 2026 – Sixteen-year-old Ukrainian driver Oleksandr Bondarev has won the overall title in the UAE4 Series Formula 4 championship, becoming the first Ukrainian in history to claim the championship in this category. The championship race was held at Qatar’s famous Lusail Circuit, it was the final race of the Formula 4 Middle East season. Previously, the Ukrainian had only won the 2025 E4 rookie standings. He is now the full champion of the series.
FYI, The UAE4 Series is a regional Formula 4 series held in the United Arab Emirates. It is part of an international system of training young drivers for the highest categories of motorsport.
According to Sport.ua, ahead of the final two races of the season, Bondarev held a 23-point lead over his main rival, French driver Andy Cossani. To secure the title, Bondarev needed to finish no lower than ninth place. Cossani could only take the championship by winning the race while Bondarev finished tenth or lower.
While main rival Cossani did go on to win the last race held in Quatar, Bondarev was able to cross the finish line in fifth, the result being more than enough to secure his first overall Formula 4 title and Ukraine’s first-ever championship in the category. David Cosma finished second and Christopher Costoya ended up finishing third in the final race.
As previously mentioned, the F4 series is considered a stepping stone to professional motorsport and potentially to Formula 1, so Bondarevʼs victory is an important step for Ukraineʼs representation on the international racing scene. After this victory, Bondarev plans to continue the 2026 season in the Italian Formula 4 series.
Congratulations to rising Ukrainian star Oleksandr Bondarev!
