The British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series. Notable former champions include Jim Clark, Nelson Piquet, Mika Häkkinen, Ayrton Senna, Emerson Fittipaldi, Rubens Barrichello and Sir Jackie Stewart.
History[]
The first Formula Three championship to take place in the UK was the Autosport F3 championship held in 1951, which was won by Eric Brandon. By 1954, it had evolved into a national-level series and was organised by the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC).[3] This was the 500cc period of Formula Three, which was active in the UK and other countries until 1959, at which point Formula Three was adapted into Formula Junior. In this period, there were often two or three series running concurrently and a single national series had yet to be firmly established.[4] The FIA reintroduced Formula Three in 1964, and there were two F3 championships held in the UK that year, won by Jackie Stewart and Rodney Banting. This was not the last occasion of two or more F3 championships running concurrently in the post-1964 era: from 1970 to 1973, there were three regional series (the Lombard North, John Player, and Forward Trust championships) and there were normally two series between then and 1978.[3] In 1984, the series adopted a B class for competitors with older chassis, which is now known as the National class.[5] From 2011 the National class will be renamed Rookie Championship. In 2011 Formula Three in the United Kingdom celebrated its 60th anniversary season.
Equipment[]
Like most Formula Three championships, competitors in British F3 are permitted to use any eligible chassis. The minimum and maximum age of a chassis specification is dictated by the class in which its driver competes: International class entrants must use a chassis that meets the FIA's technical regulations as applicable to 2009, while National class entrants are restricted to cars that meet the 2007 FIA regulations.[6] In practice, this means that class A cars must have been designed for the current three-year model cycle and class B cars must date from the previous cycle.
Dallara has been dominant since the mid-1990s – in both results and numbers – but the chassis of some of its main competitors have been adopted in small numbers. The Lola B06/30 and the Mygale M07/F3 are each represented by two-car teams and the older Dome F106 is used by a two-car team in the Scholarship class.[7] In the interests of parity, identical tyres are supplied by Cooper Tire.
Three engine manufacturers – AMG-Mercedes (tuned by H.W.A), Volkswagen and Mugen-Honda (tuned by Neil Brown Engineering) – are currently represented on a full-time basis.[7] The Opel-Spiess was used by Swiss Racing Team in a one-off appearance at Monza only. The regulations demand that all class B entrants must use Mugen-Hondas of an identical specification, prepared and sealed by Neil Brown Engineering Limited.[8]
All entrants in the series must use control tyres from a single supplier. Since 1982, these have been manufactured by Avon Tyres, which from the 2009 season onwards were re-branded as Cooper Tires, as Cooper became the championship's official title sponsor. The company recently signed an extension until the end of 2014. Tyres are limited to 60 sets per season per team and three sets of tyres per weekend per team. Two sets of wet-weather tyres are allowed per race weekend, but their use is allowed in the case of a ‘Wet Race’ only. Tyres are to be filled with environmental air or nitrogen; chemical or mechanical treatment is prohibited. Tyre dimensions: 180/550 R 13 front, 240/570 R 13 rear. Tyre heaters are not allowed.
Specifications[]
- Chassis: Dallara F308, Lola B06/30, Dome F106 and Mygale M07/F3 Carbon Fibre sandwich with AL/Nomex honeycomb.
- Engine: Mugen-Honda, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz.
- Engine Displacement: 2.0 L (2,000 cc) (122 in³) DOHC Inline-4.
- Gearbox: 6 Speed manual paddle shift gearbox (must have reverse).
- Weight: 550 kg (1,213 lb) including driver and ballast.
- Power: 210 bhp @ 6000rpm (approx).
- Fuel: Sunoco 100 RON, no refuelling.
- Fuel tank: Single FT3 homologated rubber safety tank.
- Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection.
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated.
- Length: 4188 mm.
- Height: 950 mm.
- Width: 1825 mm (72.8") maximum.
- Wheelbase: 2000 mm (78.75") minimum.
- Track: 1200 mm (47") minimum.
- Steering: 2-wheel steering with rack and pinion, power-steering.
- Drivetrain: 2WD only.
- Brakes: Performance Friction Brakes.
- Tires: Cooper Tires limited to 60 sets of tyres per season per team. Three sets of tyres per weekend per team. Two sets of wet-weather tyres per race weekend, but their use is allowed in the case of a ‘Wet Race’ only. Tyres to be filled with environmental air or nitrogen; chemical or mechanical treatment is prohibited. Tyre dimensions: 180/550 R 13 front, 240/570 R 13 rear. Tyre heaters are not allowed.
- Springs: Koni.
- Wheel rims: ATS maximum width 11.5", maximum Ø 13".
- Probitings: Active suspension, Telemetry, and Traction Control.
Events[]
The championship comprises ten rounds, each with three races. The scoring system arranged as follows:
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race 1 & 3 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Race 2 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
A bonus point is awarded for the fastest race lap in each class for all three races. The event schedule takes place over three days (normally Friday to Sunday) with testing or free practice sessions on the first day, a 30' qualifying session and race 1 of 30' on the second day. The third day has two races, race 2 of 20' and race 3 of 40'. The qualifying session determines the starting order for races 1 and 3, where the driver's fastest time determines the grid for race 3, and the second fastest time the grid for race 1.
Champions[]
| Season | Series Name | Champion | Team | Chassis/engine | National Class Champion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Autosport F3 |  Eric Brandon
|
Cooper-Norton | |||
| 1952 | Autosport F3 | Don Parker
|
Kieft-Norton | |||
| 1953 | Autosport F3 | Don Parker
|
Kieft-Norton | |||
| 1954 | BRSCC National F3 | Les Leston
|
Cooper-Norton | |||
| 1955 | BRSCC National F3 | Jim Russell
|
Cooper-Norton | |||
| JAP F3 | Henry Taylor
|
Cooper-JAP | ||||
| 1956 | BRSCC National F3 | Jim Russell
|
Cooper-Norton | |||
| 1957 | BRSCC National F3 | Jim Russell
|
Cooper-Norton | |||
| 1958 | BRSCC National F3 | Trevor Taylor
|
Cooper-Norton | |||
| 1959 | BRSCC F3 | Don Parker
|
Cooper-Norton | |||
| 1960 | BRSCC F3 | Jack Pitcher
|
Cooper-Norton | |||
| John Davy Formula Junior | Jim Clark
|
Lotus-Ford | ||||
| BRSCC Formula Junior | Jack Pitcher
|
Alexis-BMC | ||||
| Motor Racing Formula Junior | Jim Clark Trevor Taylor
|
Lotus-Ford | ||||
| 1961 | BRSCC F3 | Mike Ledbrook
|
Cooper-Norton | |||
| John Davy Formula Junior | Bill Moss
|
Gemini-Ford | ||||
| BRSCC Formula Junior | Mike Ledbrook
|
Lotus-Ford | ||||
| Motor Racing Formula Junior | Trevor Taylor
|
Lotus-Ford | ||||
| 1962 | John Davy Formula Junior | John Fenning
|
Lotus-Ford | |||
| 1963 | Express & Star Formula Junior | Peter Arundell
|
Lotus-Ford | |||
| BARC Formula Junior | Peter Arundell
|
Lotus-Ford | ||||
| 1964 | Express & Star F3 | Jackie Stewart
|
Tyrrell Racing
|
Cooper-BMC | ||
| BRSCC F3 | Rodney Banting
|
Lotus-BMC | ||||
| SMRC F3 |  Sverrir Thoroddsson
|
Lotus-Ford-Cosworth | ||||
| 1965 | BRSCC F3 | Tony Dean
|
Brabham-Ford-Cosworth | |||
| BARC F3 | Roy Pike
|
Brabham-Ford-Cosworth | ||||
| 1966 | Les Leston F3 | Harry Stiller
|
Brabham-Ford-Cosworth | |||
| 1967 | Les Leston F3 | Harry Stiller
|
Brabham-Ford-Cosworth | |||
| 1968 | Lombank F3 |  Tim Schenken
|
Chevron-Ford-Lucas | |||
| 1969 | Lombank F3 |  Emerson Fittipaldi
|
Lotus-Ford-Holbay | |||
| 1970 | Lombank F3 | Dave Walker
|
Lotus-Ford-Holbay | |||
| Shellsport F3 | Tony Trimmer
|
Brabham-Ford-Holbay | ||||
| Forward Trust F3 | Carlos Pace
|
Lotus-Ford-Holbay | ||||
| 1971 | Lombard North F3 | Roger Williamson
|
March-Ford-Holbay | |||
| Shellsport National F3 | Dave Walker
|
Lotus-Ford-Vegantune | ||||
| Forward Trust BARC F3 | Dave Walker
|
Lotus-Ford-Vegantune | ||||
| 1972 | Forward Trust BARC F3 | Roger Williamson
|
GRD-Ford-Holbay | |||
| Lombard North F3 |  Rikky von Opel
|
Ensign-Ford-Vegantune | ||||
| Shellsport National F3 | Roger Williamson
|
GRD-Ford-Holbay | ||||
| 1973 | Forward Trust BARC F3 | Ian Taylor
|
March-Ford-Holbay | |||
| Lombard North F3 | Tony Brise
|
March-Ford-Holbay | ||||
| John Player European F3 | Tony Brise
|
March-Ford-Holbay | ||||
| 1974 | Forward Trust BARC F3 | Brian Henton
|
March-Ford-Holbay | |||
| Lombard North F3 | Brian Henton
|
March-Ford-Holbay | ||||
| 1975 | BP Super Visco F3 |  Gunnar Nilsson
|
March-Toyota | |||
| 1976 | Shellsport F3 |  Bruno Giacomelli
|
March-Toyota | |||
| BP Super Visco F3 | Rupert Keegan
|
March-Toyota | ||||
| 1977 | Vandervell F3 | Stephen South
|
March-Toyota | |||
| BP F3 |  Derek Daly
|
Derek McMahon Racing
|
Chevron-Toyota | |||
| 1978 | Vandervell F3 | Derek Warwick
|
Ralt-Toyota | |||
| BP F3 | Nelson Piquet
|
Ralt-Toyota | ||||
| 1979 | Vandervell British F3 | Chico Serra
|
Project Four Racing
|
Ralt-Toyota | ||
| 1980 | Vandervell British F3 | Stefan Johansson
|
Project Four Racing
|
March-Toyota | ||
| 1981 | Marlboro British F3 | Jonathan Palmer
|
West Surrey Racing
|
Ralt-Toyota | ||
| 1982 | Marlboro British F3 | Tommy Byrne
|
Murray Taylor Racing
|
Ralt-Toyota | ||
| 1983 | Marlboro British F3 | Ayrton Senna
|
West Surrey Racing
|
Ralt-Toyota | ||
| 1984 | Marlboro British F3 | Johnny Dumfries
|
David Price Racing
|
Ralt-Volkswagen | Keith Fine
| |
| 1985 | Marlboro British F3 | Maurício Gugelmin
|
West Surrey Racing
|
Ralt-Volkswagen | [[Image:Template:Country flag alias JAM | 22x20px}}|Template:Country alias JAM]] Carlton Tingling |
| 1986 | Lucas British F3 | Andy Wallace
|
Madgwick Motorsport
|
Reynard-Volkswagen | Steve Kempton
| |
| 1987 | Lucas British F3 | Johnny Herbert
|
Eddie Jordan Racing
|
Reynard-Volkswagen | Gary Dunn
| |
| 1988 | Lucas British F3 |  J.J. Lehto
|
Pacific Racing
|
Reynard-Toyota | Alistair Lyall
| |
| 1989 | Lucas British F3 | David Brabham
|
Bowman Racing
|
Ralt-Volkswagen |  Fernando Plata
| |
| 1990 | British F3 | Mika Häkkinen
|
West Surrey Racing
|
Ralt-Mugen-Honda | Charles Rickett
| |
| 1991 | British F3 | Rubens Barrichello
|
West Surrey Racing
|
Ralt-Mugen-Honda | Pekka Herva
| |
| 1992 | British F3 | Gil de Ferran
|
Paul Stewart Racing
|
Reynard-Mugen-Honda | Paul Evans
| |
| 1993 | British F3 | Kelvin Burt
|
Paul Stewart Racing
|
Reynard-Mugen-Honda | Jamie Spence
| |
| 1994 | British F3 |  Jan Magnussen
|
Paul Stewart Racing
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda | Duncan Vercoe
| |
| 1995 | British F3 | Oliver Gavin
|
Edenbridge Racing
|
Dallara-Vauxhall | Martin Byford
| |
| 1996 | British F3 | Ralph Firman
|
Paul Stewart Racing
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda |  Simon Wills
| |
| 1997 | Autosport British F3 | Jonny Kane
|
Paul Stewart Racing
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda | Martin O'Connell
| |
| 1998 | Autosport British F3 | Mario Haberfeld
|
Paul Stewart Racing
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda | Phillip Scifleet
| |
| 1999 | Autosport British F3 | Marc Hynes
|
Manor Motorsport
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda | Martin O'Connell
| |
| 2000 | Green Flag British F3 | Antônio Pizzonia
|
Manor Motorsport
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda | Gary Paffett
| |
| 2001 | Green Flag British F3 |  Takuma Sato
|
Carlin Motorsport
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda | Robbie Kerr
| |
| 2002 | Green Flag British F3 | Robbie Kerr
|
Alan Docking Racing
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda | Adam Carroll
| |
| 2003 | British F3 International |  Alan van der Merwe
|
Carlin Motorsport
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda |  Ernesto Viso
| |
| 2004 | British F3 International | Nelson Ângelo Piquet
|
Piquet Sports
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda | Ryan Lewis
| |
| 2005 | British F3 International |  Álvaro Parente
|
Carlin Motorsport
|
Dallara-Mugen-Honda | Salvador Durán
| |
| 2006 | Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International | Mike Conway
|
Räikkönen Robertson Racing
|
Dallara-AMG-Mercedes | Rodolfo Gonzalez
| |
| 2007 | Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International |  Marko Asmer
|
Hitech Racing
|
Dallara-AMG-Mercedes | Sergio Pérez
| |
| 2008 | British F3 International |  Jaime Alguersuari
|
Carlin Motorsport
|
Dallara-AMG-Mercedes | Jay Bridger
| |
| 2009 | Cooper Tires British F3 International Series | Daniel Ricciardo
|
Carlin Motorsport
|
Dallara-Volkswagen | Daniel McKenzie
| |
| 2010 | Cooper Tires British F3 International Series |  Jean-Éric Vergne
|
Carlin Motorsport
|
Dallara-Volkswagen | Menasheh Idafar
| |
| 2011 | Cooper Tires British F3 International Series | Felipe Nasr
|
Carlin
|
Dallara-Volkswagen | Kotaro Sakurai
| |
| 2012 | Cooper Tires British F3 International Series | Jack Harvey
|
Carlin
|
Dallara-Volkswagen | Spike Goddard
| |
| 2013 | Cooper Tires British F3 International Series | Jordan King
|
Carlin
|
Dallara-Volkswagen |  Sun Zheng
|
Multiple Champions[]
| Drivers | |
|---|---|
| Driver | Championships |
| Don Parker || 3 - 1952, 1953, 1959
| |
| Jim Russell || 3 - 1955 (BRSCC National), 1956, 1957
| |
| Trevor Taylor || 3 - 1958, 1960 (Motor Racing Formula Junior), 1961 (Motor Racing Formula Junior)
| |
| Dave Walker || 3 - 1970 (Lombank), 1971 (Shellsport National), 1971 (Forward Trust BARC)
| |
| Roger Williamson || 3 - 1971 (Lombard North), 1972 (Forward Trust BARC), 1972 (Shellsport National)
| |
| Jack Pitcher || 2 - 1960 (BRSCC), 1960 (BRSCC Formula Junior)
| |
| Jim Clark || 2 - 1960 (John Davy Formula Junior), 1960 (Motor Racing Formula Junior)
| |
| Mike Ledbrook || 2 - 1961 (BRSCC), 1961 (BRSCC Formula Junior)
| |
| Peter Arundell || 2 - 1963 (Express & Star Formula Junior), 1963 (BARC Formula Junior)
| |
| Harry Stiller || 2 - 1966, 1967
| |
| Tony Brise || 2 - 1973 (Lombard North), 1973 (John Player European)
| |
| Brian Henton || 2 - 1974 (Forward Trust BARC), 1974 (Lombard North)
| |
| Teams | |
| Team | Championships |
| Carlin || 9 - 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
| |
| Paul Stewart Racing || 6 - 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998
| |
| West Surrey Racing || 5 - 1982, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1991
| |
See also[]
- FIA European Formula Three Championship
- Formula 3 Euro Series
Notes[]
a. ^ Includes the Championship class (A) and the National class (B).
b. ^ Teams that are represented in both classes have been counted as single entities.
References[]
- ↑ 2010 Drivers From fota.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
- ↑ 2008 Teams From fota.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2007.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 British F3 Champions From motorsportsetc.com. Retrieved on 4 September 2007.
- ↑ Formula 3 Story From clarinet.fi. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ↑ British F3 Champions From clarinet.fi. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ↑ 2007 British F3 Series Sporting Regulations: Article 4.2 pp.14
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 2007 Entry List From speedsportmag.com. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ↑ 2007 British F3 Series Sporting Regulations: Article 4.5 pp.15
External links[]
Template:British F3 Seasons Template:Motorsport in the UK