Formula 3: at the very core of the driver training programme

Formula 3 first saw the light of day in the early 50s and it is an essential branch of motor sport. If originally, its aim was to allow drivers to race on small budgets, it quickly established itself as an obligatory stepping stone to Formula 1. World champions Nelson Piquet, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Mika Häkkinen, Michaël Schumacher, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel all revealed their talent in Formula 3.

Formula 3 has undergone many evolutions throughout its history, but its core essence has always remained unchanged giving pride of place to driving skills, thanks to a good balance between power and aerodynamic grip. Today, an F3 car puts out just over 200 bhp for a weight of 550 kg: an ideal power-to-weight ratio

The technical regulations, which use technologies similar to those in F1 like a steering wheel-mounted sequential gear change, do not allow any driver aids to enable outstanding youngsters to show off their skills. In F3, the technical dialogue between the driver and his engineer is of primordial importance to define the best possible setup making it the ideal training environment.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile wants to make the path of young drivers to Formula 1 clearer and simpler, so it is intensifying its involvement in Formula 3 by bringing back the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Other F3 championships are also held in other countries, and the Macau Grand Prix at the end of the season is a unique not-to-be-missed event, which has been won by the greatest names in motor sport. 

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