TheFIA Global Pathway from Karting to Formula One is a program developed by theFédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the international sanctioning body formotorsports, that is designed to assist racing drivers progress fromkarting toFormula One.[1] The program was first developed in 2014 with the creation of theFormula 4 category,[2] and follows a tiered structure, with drivers racing in increasingly-powerful cars. The Global Pathway represents the consolidation of feeder series to create a more linear approach to progressing into Formula One.[1]
Formula 4 is the first stage of the Global Pathway, for drivers fifteen years of age and older.[1] Formula 4 is structured as a "national" championship, with each series contained within a single geographical area. Despite the "national" classification, Formula 4 championships may encompass several countries. Each Formula 4 championship uses chassis and engines built to a single specification so that drivers can compete in multiple championships without having to adjust to a different car.
The second stage of the Global Pathway is Formula Regional, previously known as Regional Formula 3, which puts drivers in cars that are more powerful than those used in Formula 4. Formula Regional was integrated to the pathway in 2018, resulting in the renaming of a number of national and regional championships, mostly previously known as "Formula 3".[3] The series are classified as "regional" championships. As of 2025, there are five regional series:Americas,European,Japanese,Middle East, andOceania.
TheMacau Grand Prix is a one-off, global event run under Formula Regional rules, attracting drivers who race in the various Formula Regional championships.
The only "international" series of Formula 3 is theFIA Formula 3 Championship. It started in2019.[4]
Formula 2 is the final intermediary stage of the Global Pathway.[5][6][1] The Formula 2 championship is an international championship, based mostly in Europe and run at F1 race weekend, but with some races in the Middle East and Australia.[1] Drivers are not required to participate in Formula 2 to compete in Formula One, as success in Formula 3 contributes to a driver'sFIA Super Licence, but of the series which are recognised as contributing to a Super Licence, Formula 2 has the greatest weight.[7] Rather than creating a new series where none previously existed, the FIA chose to rebrand theGP2 Series as the FIA Formula 2 Championship starting in2017.[8]
Formula One represents the top tier of the Global Pathway, with the series recognised by the FIA as the premier class ofopen-wheel motorsport.
Many other series, including open-wheel series such asFormula E,Euroformula Open Championship,GB3 Championship &GB4 Championship, and "tin-top" categories such as theWorld Endurance Championship,Supercars Championship, andNASCAR Cup Series, are not considered to be a part of the Global Pathway,[1] but will still contribute to a driver'sSuper Licence.[7] In practice, however, virtually all drivers entering F1 in the 21st century have done so after competing in series in the global pathway or their predecessor series (possibly including a period as athird driver). Some have however spent time inIndyCar or the JapaneseSuper Formula championships.
IndyCar, the premier American domestic open wheeler series, has its own development pathway, theUSF Pro Championships. Like the FIA global pathway, the USF Pro Championships consists of a number of series using progressively faster and more powerful cars. As of 2024, Formula 4 has struggled for entries in the US, possibly due to the lower costs of competing in the USF Pro series.[9] IndyCar itself ranks just below Formula 2 and above Formula 3 in terms of Super License points allocated, so the most successful IndyCar drivers can acquire sufficient points to get the Super Licence required to compete in F1 without competing in any other series.
| Class | F1 | FIA F2 | FIA F3 | FR | F4 | OK (karting) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis | Various | Dallara F2 2024 | Dallara F3 2025 | Tatuus F3 T-318/Ligier JS F3 | Tatuus F4-T421/Mygale M21-F4 | Various |
| Engine | Hybrid 1.6 L turbocharged V6 | 3.4 L turbocharged V6 | 3.4 L NA V6 | 1.8 L / 2.0L | 1.4-2.0 L | 125 cc |
| Minimum weight (kg) | 798 | 795 | 673 | 665-650 | 570 | 158 |
| Typical power (hp) | 1000 | 620 | 380 | 300-270 | 180-185 | 36 |
| Example picture |  |  |  |  |  |