The FIA will introduce a new single-make Formula 3 in 2019 for cars producing 350bhp.
As revealed by Autosport recently, the governing body’s F3 European championship will make way for a new FIA Formula 3 International championship, as voted for on Thursday by the World Motor Sport Council.
Although the WMSC statement did not specify that the championship would run on the Formula 1 package, this is widely expected to replace the existing GP3 series and slot in below F1 and the Formula 2 at grand prix events.
The WMSC stated that expressions of interest are invited to tender for the chassis manufacturer, the engine supplier and a promoter.
The grid will be limited to 24 cars, comprising eight teams running three cars each.
The calendar will consist of nine or 10 events, with two races – rather than the existing three of the European championship – per weekend.
Testing, meanwhile, will be ‘limited and regulated’.
The FIA also revealed plans for its regional F3 concept.
Like Formula 4, this is open to multiple chassis and engines, but with each championship featuring a single supply of chassis, engines and tyres. The power-output target is 220-240bhp.
Already the organisers of the US F4 championship have launched plans for an F3 series along these lines, using a beefed-up version of the existing Crawford/Onroak chassis and a derestricted version of the existing Honda powerplant.
Yokohama returns to Macau
Yokohama will replace Pirelli as the tyre supplier for the Macau Grand Prix this November.
The Japanese tyre company provided the rubber for the Macau GP from 1983, when it first ran to F3 rules, until 2015, before Pirelli won the contract last year.
The FIA – which attaches the F3 World Cup title to the Macau GP – announced the deal this week, and that each car will be allowed 14 slick tyres for the event.
This is a return to the old rule – last year teams were allowed 20 slick tyres after they had expressed worries about durability from testing.
