FORMULA 3’S NEWDIRECTION
In 2019 one of the most famous junior single-seat er formulas is getting a make over. by Jack ben yon
In 2019, the top level of Formula 3 will take a huge step in a different direction, as the FIA shakes things up.
The GP3 Series – a single-make formula that supports Formula 1 races – is merging with the multi-engine European Formula 3 Championship to create the FIA Formula 3 Championship. Simple, eh?
In reality, very little other than a few teams will be carried over from European F3 to the new series, as the main characteristics from GP3 dominate. The same boss takes over, Bruno Michel, the single-make, single-engine format remains and the series remains on the Formula 1 support bill.
The car is similar too, albeit new, with a chassis by Dallara as per the previous two championships. The engine and gearbox is from the GP3/16, with more aero added in line with Formula 3. Purists will be unhappy to know that the trademark side-mounted intake pod – which looks a bit like a bazooka launcher – does not remain, dropped for a standard over-head intake.
The power output matches GP3, with the new car pushing out 160bhp more than European Formula 3 with 380bhp, and a top speed of around 186mph from the 3.4-litre Mecachrome engine.
While the power output may seem massive in comparison to ‘old’ F3, the new cars will be much heavier, in most part down to a steel halo added to the car as mandated by the FIA. The Formula 2 car – run by the same Michel operation – introduced a new car this year, meaning F1, F2 and F3 will all be on the same track, competing on the same weekends with a halo next year.
All three will have DRS, too, as that’s carried over from GP3. However, it will be unlimited in F3 next year, whereas GP3 allowed six uses in its feature races and four in its reversed-grid counter.
The teams have a limited number of mechanics that can work on each car, which ex-european F3 teams will have to adapt to having not had a limit before.
While the car is a departure from many things considered fundamental to F3, it does at least use many parts from a GP3 car which was – most of the time – reliable. The Formula 2 car featured a turbo engine and new technology, and proved unreliable for the first half of the season. Keeping consistent parts from GP3 should at least help to avoid that.
It’s a star-studded list of teams signed up to compete in the championship too ( see above right), including Prema Racing with four decades of F3 experience and the 2018 European F3 teams’ title under its belt, and ART Grand Prix which won seven GP3 teams’ championships in eight seasons of the category.
Whatever you think of the direction of new F3, it has the support of the FIA and Liberty Media, which is set to invest more in drivers in its support categories next year and to promote them more, and there are some brilliant teams involved. ■