FIRST-LOOK: Brand-new Formula 3 car unveiled in Abu Dhabi

The F1 paddock was treated to a taste of the future on Thursday as the FIA Formula 3 Championship officially unveiled the F3 2019 car. The brand-new machine, which will be raced in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons, will be campaigned by the best young drivers in motorsport as they climb the ladder towards F1.

The F3 2019 is the best compromise between the current GP3 Series and FIA Formula 3 European Championship cars. It features a naturally aspirated 3.4 litre bespoke Mecachrome 6 cylinder engine, which delivers 380 HP at 8000 rpm. The philosophy of this car’s technology was to find a middle ground between performance and cost effectiveness wherever possible.

The aerodynamics were optimised to facilitate overtaking with very low ride height sensitivity and a wide range of suspension set up possibilities. The car also complies with the FIA F3 2019 safety standards which include anti intrusion panels and a steel Halo.

The car made a successful shakedown on October 11th at the driving school circuit in Nevers Magny-Cours and later completed 165 laps over the following two weeks in Magny-Cours. The development programme will run over a number of tests across the remainder of the year to accumulate sufficient mileage and ensure that a reliable car will be delivered to the teams. Three test sessions in December will be focused on performance testing, where the car will be pushed to its limits.

A first machine will be handed over to the teams in mid-January 2019, and the second and third car will be delivered together in February. There will be a shakedown with one car per team during that same month to allow them to become acclimatised to it ahead of the first official pre-season test.

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Pirelli is the official tyre supplier to the championship, and has been integral to the design process to ensure continuity with respect to the tyres.

FIA Director of Formula 1, Charlie Whiting, said: “We are pleased to unveil the exciting new 2019 FIA Formula 3 car here in Abu Dhabi, marking the final step in the process of bringing the FIA Formula 3 Championship onto the same platform as Formula 2 and Formula 1, which has been an important goal for the FIA.

“This car, while more powerful and spectacular than previous iterations, will include the latest safety standards for single-seaters, in line with the developments we continue to make at the very highest levels of the sport.

“Formula 3 has a long and rich history, and to see it become a regular part of Grands Prix weekends is the start of an exciting new chapter. The category will continue to prepare and educate young drivers, giving them the best possible opportunity to achieve their ambitions. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Promoter and Formula 1®, and we are proud to unveil this impressive new car alongside them.”

FIA Formula 2 Championship CEO Bruno Michel said: “I am very pleased to present the F3 2019 car which will race in the first three year cycle of the FIA Formula 3 Championship. Our focus was to provide a safe and challenging car which will enable close racing and encourage overtaking. When designing this car, we also kept in mind cost effectiveness in order to limit operational costs for the teams, but also deliver an attractive package.

“I am very confident that this car which matches the FIA Formula 3 2019 safety standards will deliver great racing and provide the fans with high-quality entertainment. It is the perfect tool for young drivers to make their way up the motorsport ladder with the goal to graduate to Formula 2 and ultimately, hopefully, race in Formula 1.”

A shake-down lap in the new 2019 F3 car

F3 2019 car specification

DESIGN CRITERIA

Aerodynamics optimized to facilitate overtaking. Very low ride height sensitivity and wide range of suspension set up possibilities
Cost effectiveness
Compliant to FIA F3 2019 safety rules (Static tests, crash tests, anti intrusion panels, steel Halo, wheel tether cables)

TECHNOLOGY