New season brings adjustments to FIA Formula 3 European Championship

The 2016 season of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship will see a number of regulation changes introduced to ensure the series retains its prominence in the FIA’s single seater ladder

To ensure the championship remains exclusively for young developing drivers, the FIA has declared a maximum of three full seasons in the category for drivers. A season is declared as ‘full’ when the driver involved has competed in more than 80 percent of the championship rounds. The FIA Formula 3 European Championship title winner also has to search for a new playing field as he will be no longer granted entry, to encourage movement up the single seater ladder.

To promote the correct driver behaviour in a category that is designed to be the second step on the ladder, no driver will be allowed to make their debut in the series without any previous experience in single seater racing; at least one season of single seater racing is required. Moreover, all competitors have to take part in a training program – as recently conducted at FIA Headquarters in Paris.

Taking driver education a step further for the youngsters, stewards will now have the ability to apply penalty points alongside the existing penalties. When a driver has reached 12 penalty points, he will be sidelined for one race – after which the points are re-set at zero. Points will be erased after twelve months.

In case of on-track infringements, five or ten seconds’ time penalties can now also be imposed, giving stewards more leeway to ensure the punishment matches the crime (instead of only having a drive-through as an option). Time penalties will be added to the total time of the involved driver after the finish of the race, or can be taken during a pit stop.

Another new regulation is the maximum of four cars per team, whilst the participation of two or more teams from the same owner or entrant is no longer allowed. Technical support by a FIA Formula 3 European Championship team for a rival is also outlawed. Additionally, private test sessions are not permitted at a championship circuit within three months prior to the event (with any car).

The FIA aims to ensure equal opportunity between teams and drivers, and the best possible preparation for young drivers aiming to further their careers in single seater racing – strengthening the FIA Formula 3 European Championship’s position as one of the major career steps for drivers.

One of the keys to the success of Formula 3 throughout history has been the development aspect inherent to the category – allowing young drivers a practical insight to the development requirements of life as a professional racing car driver.

The category has undoubtedly delivered, with 16 of the 22 drivers on the grid for the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship having experience in F3. In 2015, there were three teams in the top four drivers of the championship, while 14 drivers saw the podium.