The BRDC British F3 Championship will amend its race format for the second race of each weekend for the 2018 season. The new format includes a reversed starting grid, and a points system which rewards positions gained during the race.

Previously, the top-eight finishers from the opening race of each weekend have been reversed on the grid for race two, with the final race three grid being formed in order of fastest laps from race one or two. Promoters MSV, in conjunction with the teams, decided there was opportunity to add to the excitement of British F3 from both drivers’ and spectators’ viewpoints, by having the grid formation for each race two a complete reversal of all classified finishers from race one.

To be included in the race two grid reversal, a driver’s fastest lap time in race one must be within 103% of the overall fastest lap, to ensure competency to start from the front. At the back of the grid, behind the winner from race one will start any non-finishers from race one, followed finally by any drivers outside the 103% rule.

Championship points earned in race two will be based both on position, and places gained from their grid place. A race two win earns 20 points (compared with a race one win of 35 points), plus a point for every position gained, so if the winner started eighth they would gain a total of 27 points.

MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer commented: “MSV has a history of being innovative to maximise the appeal of motorsport, and with the full reverse grid system, coupled with a carefully derived points system, the BRDC British F3 Championship will produce some captivating racing for drivers, teams and fans to enjoy whilst adding to the learning value for drivers by giving them far more opportunities to overtake and reward them when they do.”

The grid for race 3 will remain based on the fastest lap achieved in either the first or second race of the weekend.