BRDC British F3 to keep current car for 2019, could change its name
The BRDC British Formula 3 Championship will keep its current car for next year amid uncertainty surrounding the FIA's Regional F3 concept
The BRDC British Formula 3 Championship will keep its current car for next year amid uncertainty surrounding the FIA's Regional F3 concept.
MotorSport Vision, which operates the championship, had explored the possibility of becoming an FIA Regional F3 series and switching to a new halo-fitted car for 2019.
But with the FIA yet to make a decision on Europe's Regional F3 series and time running out for British F3 teams to prepare for next season, MSV has decided to keep the current Tatuus-Cosworth car that was first introduced in 2016.
Ex-Formula 1 driver Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MSV, said: "I'm pleased to confirm that we will continue with our existing chassis, engine and technical arrangement next year.
"BRDC British F3 is the most cost-effective series of its type in the world and provides the perfect platform for drivers to gain experience and put themselves in the spotlight in a globally respected, great value championship.
"The BRDC British F3 Championship has been the strongest and best-subscribed single-seater category in this country since its inception, and we fully expect that to continue next year."
Started in 2016 in place of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship, British F3 has provided a career launchpad for a number of young talents including '19 McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris and current IndyCar driver Matheus Leist (pictured), who won the British F3 title in its first season.
The series has shared a calendar with the SRO-run British GT championship since its creation and at the latest round last weekend at Donington Park a season-high 20 cars were entered.
The championship is likely to lose the right to use the Formula 3 name from next year because it has opted against becoming a Regional F3 series.
Giles Butterfield, MSV's group operations and engineering manager, said: "It's not certain yet [on the name], we don't know if it's 100% sure [that we can't use the F3 name].
"In the next eight, nine, 10 months we'll evaluate what we will do in 2020. "We should have a really strong grid next year. The driving level in the championship this year is at a very high level.
"The British F3/British GT partnership with SRO works really well and we want to continue it. We'll be looking to announce a 2019 calendar shortly."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Porsche lodges appeal over da Costa's Misano Formula E disqualification
How Porsche won, lost and won in Misano Formula E mayhem
Wehrlein: Trusting Porsche's strategy "right call" for Formula E Misano win
Norris: McLaren can win races in F1 2024 if it gets everything right
Leclerc: Sainz simply doing a better job in recent F1 races
Alonso: Stroll more sensitive to Aston F1 car handling issues I drive around
Magazine: The potential shocks to come in F1's 2025 driver market
How a new 'old' challenge is capturing the spirit of British rallying lore
How Lotus emerged as a period Goodwood force
How to get the best out of amateur racers
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments