New FIA F3 cars to have non-championship Macau event
The new FIA Formula 3 car will compete at Macau in a non-championship event, with track changes to sections such as the iconic Lisboa corner also announced.
The FIA F3 Championship was launched this year and is an amalgamation of the Formula 3 European and GP3 categories for 2019.
The move meant the introduction of a new car based on the old GP3 Series car and the new-look championship remained on the F1 support ladder.
Questions regarding the suitability of the new F3 car for Macau were raised, as the new machine is significantly faster in a straight line than its predecessor, but changes to the track are scheduled to combat those concerns.
Macau will not be a round of the FIA F3 Championship but a statement from the series stated: “The circuit is one of the most challenging in the world, and safety remains the top priority for the FIA, with several updates being made ahead of the 2019 edition including the re-profiling of the barriers at Lisboa corner.”
The promoters of the event itself had said they wanted the new F3 car for 2019.
“The FIA F3 World Cup is one of the ultimate tests for young drivers, and we have worked hard to ensure it remains among the most prestigious events on the calendar,” said FIA single-seater commission president Stefano Domenicali.
“We are enjoying a hugely competitive and hard-fought FIA Formula 3 season, and the prospect of seeing this impressive grid line up in Macau is very exciting.”