Ukrainian driver Oleksandr Bondarev has officially been included in the entry list for the FIA F4 World Cup, which will take place from 19 to 22 November 2026 as part of the 73rd Macau Grand Prix.
He will become the first Ukrainian to compete in the modern format of the FIA World Cup on the legendary Guia Circuit street track. The driver announced this on his Facebook page, Zaxid.net reports.
Key Facts About Oleksandr Bondarev
Oleksandr Bondarev is a 17-year-old from Kyiv, one of the world’s most promising young racing drivers and the first Ukrainian in history to join the Williams Racing Driver Academy of the legendary Formula One team.
He began his career in professional motorsport with karting, winning the CIK-FIA European Championship title in 2023. In 2026, he became the first Ukrainian to win the UAE4 championship (UAE Formula 4), before making a successful debut in the Formula Regional European Championship (FREC), where he secured a historic victory at the Imola circuit in Italy.
The Challenges of the Guia Circuit
The F4 World Cup on Macau’s iconic Guia Circuit is considered one of the most prestigious and challenging tests for young drivers from around the world. The 6.2-kilometre circuit winds through narrow city streets, where long, high-speed straights alternate with extremely tight corners and elevation changes. The circuit’s defining feature is the complete absence of run-off areas or gravel traps.
The circuit is lined with solid reinforced-concrete walls and metal barriers, meaning that even the slightest mistake at speeds of 200 km/h can lead to a crash. Competing in Macau and finishing successfully is considered a major mark of distinction for any racing driver. Historically, many future Formula One champions, including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, have taken on this challenge.
The current event is notable because it is only the second FIA F4 World Cup in history. The inaugural edition was won by French driver Jules Roussel in 2025. In 2026, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) expanded the competition to feature a full multi-team grid: 12 leading teams from 10 countries and territories around the world will field two cars each. The grid has been expanded from 20 to 24 drivers.
The Team and Support from a Formula One Star
At the Macau Grand Prix, Oleksandr Bondarev will represent the historic local team SJM Theodore Racing. The team works in partnership with the LN4 Fusion project, which was created to support young talent in Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2 and help the most promising drivers reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, personally oversees the project and brings in leading experts, including former heads of top junior racing teams. As a result, Oleksandr will compete within a structure backed by one of the strongest drivers in modern Formula One.
The F4 World Cup qualifying race in Macau will take place on 21 November, with the decisive main race scheduled for Sunday, 22 November.
