The Formula 4 Winter Cup has officially commenced in Estoril, Portugal.
According to Offsideplus.az, the race held at the Autodromo Fernanda Pires da Silva circuit brought together 30 young and talented drivers from various countries. The event was characterized by intense competition and challenging weather conditions; due to heavy rain, sessions were halted several times, and race control was forced to wave the red flag repeatedly.
Davin Jafarov: A Spectator for Now
The 16-year-old Azerbaijani pilot, Davin Jafarov, who was expected to be on the starting grid, attended the Estoril stage as a spectator rather than a participant. Although Davin’s seat in Formula 4 had been reserved since November 2025 and he had received official offers from FIA-certified Formula 4 teams to progress to the next stage of his professional career, unresolved sponsorship issues delayed his participation in this round.
Despite this, the temporary hiatus has not dampened the young driver's motivation. Davin continues his preparation process without interruption—engaging in daily physical training, working intensively on professional racing simulators, and maintaining a high level of both physical and psychological readiness. He stands ready to shift his full focus back to the track the moment financial matters are settled.
The Ultimate Goal: Formula 1
Davin Jafarov believes this delay is only temporary and is confident that he will soon demonstrate his potential on the international stage. His long-term goal remains unchanged: to become the first Azerbaijani driver to reach Formula 1!
Davin Jafarov's statement:
"Today, as a team, we secured a place on the podium, finishing in 3rd. Unfortunately, I am participating here only as a guest and a spectator. A sponsorship agreement was intended to be signed at the end of last year, and my seat was ready. However, due to financial issues, I could not participate as a pilot in this race. Nevertheless, I am very happy to be here as a guest. It is wonderful to feel the support of my team and everyone who wants to help me. I hope to compete in Formula 4 races under the Azerbaijani flag in the near future."
