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FIA Formula 3 European Championship

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Not to be confused with FIA European Formula 3 Championship (1975–1984) or FIA Formula 3 Championship.

FIA Formula 3 European Championship
CategorySingle seaters
CountryEurope
Inaugural season2012
Folded2018
Drivers27 (regularly 21 including wildcard and replacement)
Teams7
ConstructorsDallara
Engine suppliersMercedes and Volkswagen
Tyre suppliersHankook
Last Drivers' championGermany Mick Schumacher
Last Teams' championItaly Prema Theodore Racing
Official websiteOfficial website

The FIA Formula 3 European Championship was a European Formula Three (F3) auto racing competition, organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). After one season of the FIA Formula 3 International Trophy, the FIA revived the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.[1] The ten-event season included seven Formula 3 Euro Series rounds, two British Formula Three rounds and DTM-supporting round at Brands Hatch. From 2013, the series started running its own rounds, based upon the defunct Formula 3 Euro Series.

In 2019, the series merged with the GP3 Series to form the FIA Formula 3 Championship, and was due to relaunch as the Formula European Masters[2][3] and run in support of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.[4] The championship was cancelled ahead of its debut season due to lack of competitors. The championship would have used the current spec cars[5] and were working with Dallara to design a new car for 2020,[6] but it was replaced by GT4-based series, DTM Trophy as the successor.

Car history and current specifications

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Chassis

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The FIA Formula 3 European Championship is a third-tier single-seater formula car. A spec-series, the championship mandates chassis and engine manufacturers which teams must use each season. The championship controls and specifies the chassis and engine manufacturers that teams are allowed to use each season. The league's choice of manufacturers are changed every three years. Currently, Dallara provides a specification chassis to all teams since inaugural season. Teams are prohibited from performing engine or chassis modifications. The current Dallara F317 features an airboxless roll hoop and also left-side separated airbox on upside sidepod. The chassis construction of Dallara F317 car are carbon-fibre monocoque incorporated with honeycomb structure. The Dallara F317 also includes bi-plane front wing, bi-plane rear wing and also lower nose (similar to current Formula One cars)

Transmission, gearbox and clutches

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For the transmission gearboxes, all FIA Formula 3 European cars currently use a semi-automatic transmission with 6-speed gearbox operated by paddle shifters since the 2012 season. The clutch of all FIA Formula 3 European cars are CFRP 3-plate clutch operated by foot-pedal. Mechanical limited-slip differential are also allowed and constant velocity joint tripod driveshafts are also used. The transmission fluid supplier is currently the RAVENOL F3 Gear premium oil.

Brakes

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AP Racing supplies monobloc brake calipers, cast-iron brake discs, pads and disc bells, which are exclusive to all FIA Formula 3 European cars.

Wheel rims

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ATS exclusively supplies wheel rims for all FIA Formula 3 European cars since the inaugural 2012 season. The wheel rims of all FIA Formula 3 European cars are made of magnesium alloy wheels.

Tyres

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Hankook was the sole tyre partner for the series since the 2012 season until 2018. The FIA Formula 3 European tyres runs the bespoke compounds and smaller size since 2012. The front tyre sizes are 180/550-R13 and the rear tyre sizes are 240/570-R13.

Cockpit and other safety components

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For the safety equipment, all FIA Formula 3 European cars seating uses removable carbon-fibre shell driver's seat with 6-point seat belts. The steering wheel of all FIA Formula 3 European cars are universally supplied by XAP Technologies. All FIA Formula 3 European cars are also equipped with XAP data display units since the 2012 season.

Rear view mirrors for all FIA Formula 3 European cars are fully mandated to easily view opponents behind.

Fuel tank

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The fuel tank of all FIA Formula 3 European cars are made of kevlar-reinforced rubber safety tank supplied by ATL with FT3 standard. Currently the fuel tank capacity of all FIA Formula 3 European cars are 45 litres (12 US gallons) since 2012.

Other components

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All FIA Formula 3 European cars carry a Bosch-provided electronic control unit (Motronic MS 5.8 model), but traction control and anti-lock brakes are prohibited. Live telemetry is used only for television broadcasts, but the data can be recorded from the ECU to the computer if the car is in the garage and not on the track.

Engines

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The cars are powered by naturally-aspirated (no turbocharger or supercharger) direct fuel injection (since 2014) inline-4 engines, with aluminium alloy blocks, and a DOHC valvetrain actuating four-valves per cylinder, and limited to 2.0 L (122 cu in) displacement since the series' inauguration in 2012. DTM car's engines are currently producing over 240 hp (179 kW) power output between 5,000-7,400 rpm. Currently Mercedes-AMG (operated by Mercedes-AMG HPP) and Volkswagen providing the engines currently maximum three teams per one manufacturer. ThreeBond Nissan and Neil Brown Engineering has provided engines in 2012-2016 and 2014-2016 but both companies left at the end of the 2016 season respectively due to competitor reduction to 19 cars.

FIA Formula 3 European engines are rev-limited to 7,400 rpm. The valve train is a dual overhead camshaft configuration with four valves per cylinder. The crankshaft is made of alloy steel, with five main bearing caps. The pistons are forged aluminum alloy, while the connecting rods are machined alloy steel. The firing ignition is a CDI ignition system. The engine lubrication is a dry sump type, cooled by a single water pump.

Engines must be built from a production model block (stock block), and often must be sealed by race or series organizers, so no private tuning can be carried out.

Spark plugs

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All FIA Formula 3 European cars carried a spark plugs are made of iridium and supplied exclusively by Bosch since 2012.

Exhaust systems

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The exhaust systems of all FIA Formula 3 European cars are silencer type but made by titanium with operation of three-way catalytic converter. Currently Remus are providing the exhaust systems.

Fuel

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FIA Formula 3 European cars currently use ordinary fossil unleaded racing fuel, which has been the de facto standard in European third-tier single-seater formula racing since Formula 3 Euroseries in 2003 and the formation of FIA Formula 3 European in 2012. Since the 2005 Formula 3 Euroseries season, per agreement with ITR e.V., which has promoted the series from that to FIA European Formula 3 and later Formula European Masters, BP is the official fuel supplier using their German Aral Ultimate brand

Current Aral Ultimate 102 RON unleaded gasoline resembles the ordinary unleaded public vehicles gasoline which has better mileage, environmental-friendly and safer than other fuels.

Lubricants

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The current lubricant supplier of all FIA Formula 3 European cars is Ravenol.

Performance

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According to research and pre-season stability tests, the current model can go 0 to 60 mph in approximately 3 seconds. The car has a top speed of over 160 mph (257 km/h) depending on the circuit and gearing meaning that it is the fourth fastest single-seater formula car behind Formula 1, Formula 2 and GP3 Series.

Specifications

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Race format

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Following two practice sessions, the first of two qualifying sessions will be held on Friday afternoon. Race 1 starts on Saturday morning, while Qualifying 2 is usually scheduled for the afternoon. On Sunday, the two remaining races will be held, with Race 2 taking off on Sunday morning and Race 3 concluding the weekend in the afternoon. Each race will consist of 33 minutes plus one lap and covers a distance of about 100 kilometres.[7]

Champions

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Drivers'

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Season Driver Team Engine Poles Wins Podiums Fastest laps Points Clinched Margin Ref
2012 Spain Daniel Juncadella Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 5 5 10 5 252 Race 20 of 20 23.5 [8]
2013 Italy Raffaele Marciello Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 12 13 19 8 489.5 Race 29 of 30 32.5 [9]
2014 France Esteban Ocon Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 15 9 21 7 478 Race 30 of 33 58 [10]
2015 Sweden Felix Rosenqvist Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 17 13 24 13 518 Race 30 of 33 105.5 [11][12]
2016 Canada Lance Stroll Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 14 14 20 13 508 Race 26 of 30 187 [13]
2017 United Kingdom Lando Norris United Kingdom Carlin Volkswagen 8 9 20 8 441 Race 28 of 30 53 [14]
2018 Germany Mick Schumacher Italy Prema Theodore Racing Mercedes 7 8 14 4 365 Race 29 of 30 57 [15]

Teams'

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Season Team Engine Poles Wins Podiums Fastest laps Points Clinched Margin Ref
2013 Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 17 17 42 14 810 Race 27 of 30 206 [9]
2014 Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 15 11 34 8 740 Race 31 of 33 36 [10]
2015 Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 23 20 46 18 912 Race 28 of 33 379.5 [11]
2016 Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 22 20 20 18 780 Race 24 of 30 187 [13]
2017 Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 13 11 33 11 829 Race 29 of 30 127 [14]
2018 Italy Prema Theodore Racing Mercedes 16 17 14 11 1003.5 Race 28 of 30 214.5 [15]

Rookies'

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The result of the championship was decided by different standings. Wins and points of the rookie standings are present in brackets.

Season Driver Team Engine Poles Wins (rookie) Podiums Fastest laps Points (rookie) Clinched Margin Ref
2014 France Esteban Ocon Italy Prema Powerteam Mercedes 15 9 (15) 21 7 478 (619) Race 28 of 33 105 [10][16]
2015 Monaco Charles Leclerc Netherlands Van Amersfoort Racing Volkswagen 3 4 (10) 13 5 363.5 (533.5) Race 30 of 33 105.5 [11][12]
2016 Sweden Joel Eriksson Germany Motopark Volkswagen 1 1 (8) 10 2 252 (470) Race 29 of 30 52 [13][17]
2017 United Kingdom Lando Norris United Kingdom Carlin Volkswagen 8 9 (21) 20 8 441 (628) Race 28 of 30 89 [14][18]
2018 Russia Robert Shwartzman Italy Prema Theodore Racing Mercedes 3 2 (1) 11 1 294 (491.5) Race 28 of 30 61.5 [15][19]

Drivers who graduated to Formula One

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Driver FIA Formula 3 Formula 1
Seasons Races Wins Podiums Best pos. Seasons First team Races Wins Podiums
Russia Daniil Kvyat 2013 21 1 7 NC† 2014–2017, 2019–2020 Toro Rosso 110 0 3
Spain Carlos Sainz Jr. 2012 20 1 5 5th 2015– Toro Rosso 206 4 27
Brazil Felipe Nasr 2012 1 0 0 NC† 2015–2016 Sauber 39 0 0
Netherlands Max Verstappen 2014 32 10 16 3rd 2015– Toro Rosso 209 63 112
Germany Pascal Wehrlein 2012–2013 23 2 9 4th 2016–2017 Manor 39 0 0
France Esteban Ocon 2014 33 9 21 1st 2016–2018, 2020– Manor 156 1 4
Italy Antonio Giovinazzi 2013–2015 95 8 27 2nd 2017, 2019–2021 Sauber 62 0 0
Canada Lance Stroll 2015–2016 62 15 26 1st 2017– Williams 166 0 3
Monaco Charles Leclerc 2015 33 4 13 4th 2018– Sauber 147 8 43
United Kingdom George Russell 2015–2016 63 3 13 3rd 2019– Williams 128 3 15
Thailand Alex Albon 2015 31 0 5 7th 2019–2020, 2022– Toro Rosso 104 0 2
United Kingdom Lando Norris 2016–2017 33 9 20 1st 2019– McLaren 128 4 26
Canada Nicholas Latifi 2013–2014 60 0 1 10th 2020–2022 Williams 61 0 0
Brazil Pietro Fittipaldi 2015 30 0 0 17th 2020 Haas 2 0 0
Russia Nikita Mazepin 2016–2017 59 0 3 10th 2021 Haas 21 0 0
Germany Mick Schumacher 2017–2018 60 8 15 1st 2021–2022 Haas
China Zhou Guanyu 2016–2018 90 2 13 8th 2022– Alfa Romeo 68 0 0

† Competed as a guest driver ineligible to score championship points.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "FIA European Formula 3 Championship". FIA. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Preparations are running flat out – Formula European Masters". Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  3. ^ Simmons, Marcus (4 December 2018). "DTM-supporting F3 series to adopt Formula European Masters name". autosport.com. Autosport. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  4. ^ Simmons, Marcus (12 October 2018). "European Formula 3 successor sticks with DTM for 2019 calendar". autosport.com. Autosport. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  5. ^ Simmons, Marcus (24 September 2018). "Two Dallara-based 'old-school' European F3 series on cards for 2019". autosport.com. Autosport. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  6. ^ Simmons, Marcus (7 December 2018). "Dallara evaluating requests for new 'Formula 3' car for 2020". autosport.com. Autosport. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Sporting Regulations - FIA-F3". Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  8. ^ "FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2012". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  9. ^ a b "FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2013". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2014". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2015". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b "2015 Standings". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  13. ^ a b c "FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2016". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2017". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  15. ^ a b c "FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2018". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  16. ^ "2014 Classifications". Archived from the original on 24 November 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  17. ^ "2016 Standings". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  18. ^ "2017 Standings". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. February 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  19. ^ "2018 Standings". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
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