The three top rookies in the 2016 FIA European Formula 3 Championship will become the first recipients of prize money that will go towards a sophomore season in the championship.

The top rookie in the championship standings after the season finale at the Hockenheimring in October will receive 100,000 Euros, with 50,000 Euros going to both the second and third placed rookies.

Joel Eriksson currently leads the rookie standings after the most recent round at Spa-Francorchamps, while Anthoine Hubert and Ben Barnicoat are in close company, with Ralf Aron, Niko Kari and Guanyu Zhou all within sixty points of the top.

President of the FIA Single-Seater Commission, Stefano Domenicali, revealed that the rookie rewards are to benefit the stability of the championship, and also plans to expand the financial benefits to the main championships for both teams and drivers in 2017.

“The FIA considers the FIA F3 European Championship as the most suitable platform for drivers learning their way at this particular stage of the single-seater ladder,” said Domenicali.

“To prepare drivers in the most effective way for the next step on the ladder, we think it is normally best for a driver to remain in the series for at least two consecutive seasons.

“The newly introduced prize money is a reward for good results during a rookie season, but should at the same time encourage the drivers to stay for another year and gain further experience.

“It will also establish some financial assistance – something that we intend to expand to the team and driver championships next year.”