FORMULA 4 – MOST 2026

A Challenging Race, a Damaged Car and a Valuable Motorsport Lesson

Autodrom Most is one of our favourite racing circuits. This time, however, it reminded us of an important lesson: you cannot win a race in the first corner, but you can certainly lose everything there.
Another Carbonia Cup race weekend at Autodrom Most provided 14-year-old Matyas Vitver and SVC GROUP RACING with one of the most demanding experiences of their first Formula 4 season.
We arrived at Most with our Tatuus F4 T-421 Gen 2 carefully prepared. The car had new brakes, a replacement clutch and revised suspension settings. Matyas had also prepared thoroughly, both physically and on the racing simulator.
We were especially pleased to have Matyas's grandfather, Milan, supporting us in the paddock again.
Everyone was looking forward to a strong weekend. But motorsport once again demonstrated that even the best preparation cannot guarantee a trouble-free event.

Almost No Useful Running in Practice
The first free practice session was interrupted by red flags. Matyas managed only three laps, including his out-lap.
During the second session, a slow puncture forced us to stop after four laps, again including the out-lap.
As a result, the entire practice programme provided very little useful information. We were unable to bring the tyres and other operating components fully up to temperature or properly evaluate the car's setup at racing speed.

Qualifying Accident and a Race Against Time for the Mechanics
Qualifying began with three warm-up laps. Unfortunately, a mistake while negotiating a kerb caused Matyas to lose control and hit the barriers.
The impact damaged the suspension, steering and front wing.
For the SVC GROUP RACING mechanics, another race immediately began – this time against the clock.
The extent of the damage required substantial repairs in the paddock, away from our usual workshop facilities.
The team had to replace damaged components, inspect the steering and chassis and prepare the car for the race within a very limited period.
Our mechanics successfully completed the challenge.
During the formation lap, Matyas thanked the entire team over the radio. He confirmed that the repaired car felt excellent and that he was ready to race.
For us, it was one of the most rewarding moments of the weekend.

A Difficult Start and Contact with Other Cars
Before the race, we reminded Matyas how important discipline and awareness are at the start and through the opening corners.
In a large field of single-seaters from different performance categories, a driver must not only react quickly but also anticipate the behaviour of others, maintain a predictable racing line and avoid unnecessary risks.
Shortly after the start, Matyas became involved in close racing with surrounding cars, and several contacts occurred.
During one incident, the front wheel of his car was struck. A further contact damaged the front wing. During the post-race inspection, we also discovered damage to Matyas's helmet.
It was an unpleasant situation that required careful checks of both the car and the driver's safety equipment.
According to the information available to our team, the stewards did not issue any penalties for these contacts.
For the purposes of this report, we therefore regard them as racing incidents from which valuable lessons can be learned.

Fighting Back Before an Early Red Flag
Despite the difficult start and damage to the car, Matyas was able to continue racing and gradually recover positions.
He fought his way back to third place on the road in the relevant classification.
However, the race was subsequently stopped by a red flag and was not restarted.
Under the classification procedure applied to the event, the final result was determined using the order from the preceding counted lap.

Matyas was therefore officially classified fourth in the Formula 4 class.
It was our team's first finish outside the podium positions during the season.
Nevertheless, we did not leave Most feeling defeated.
Repairing the car, dealing with difficult situations on track and successfully completing the race were all important parts of our first year in Formula 4.
According to our team's provisional standings at the time, Matyas remained the F4 class leader after the event.

Respect Between Rivals
One of the nicest moments came after the race.
The driver with whom Matyas had been fighting for third and fourth place approached him.
They shook hands and, with smiles on their faces, discussed the different situations they had experienced on track.
Both agreed that their battle had been fair and enjoyable.
These are the moments that remind us what motorsport is really about.
Drivers may be rivals on the circuit, but mutual respect and appreciation should remain once the race is over.

Lessons That Go Beyond the Racetrack
I have been involved in motorsport for more than twenty years, and it can still surprise me.
This weekend at Most reminded us that racing is not simply about speed and victories.
It is about preparation, dealing with unexpected problems, teamwork and responsibility.
During a single weekend, Matyas had to cope with limited practice, his own qualifying mistake, the subsequent repairs and challenging situations during the race.
These are experiences that cannot be fully replicated on a simulator or during ordinary testing.
They help shape not only a racing driver, but also the person behind the steering wheel.

Looking Ahead – SVC Racing's Future Plans
Following the race at Most, we also began considering the possibility of expanding our racing activities.
One option under discussion involved additional Formula 3 cars, with potential opportunities being explored through contacts in Italy.
The idea was to combine Matyas's Formula 4 programme with further racing experience and continue the family's motorsport tradition.
At that stage, however, these were preliminary plans rather than a confirmed racing programme.

The Most Important Thing We Took Home
We did not bring a trophy home from Most this time.
But we brought back something that may prove even more valuable for Matyas's future: experience, a deeper respect for racing and the knowledge that our team can respond to difficult situations.
Victories matter. But a racing driver's true character is also revealed by how they respond when things do not go according to plan.

And if Matyas carries these lessons into everyday life, then this demanding weekend at Most will have served an important purpose.

Team SVC GROUP 

On behalf of SVC GROUP RACING
Tatuus F4 T-421 Gen 2
www.matyasvitver.com