Spanish Formula Three
Encyclopedia
The European F3 Open Championship (formerly the Spanish Formula Three Championship) is a junior formula racing
series based in Spain
. It is one of six national and international Formula Three
championships in Europe
and Scandinavia
that together form an important part of the established "career ladder
" below Formula One
. The championship's first season was held in 2001. In 2006, it was branded as the Spanish F3 Championship by Toyota, in deference to its sole engine supplier.
when the two companies' motor racing programs were reorganised. The new championship replaced the previously existing Super Formula Toyota, a one-make series with performance similar to F3.
The European F3 Open championship has become successful by actively taking measures to control budget requirements. This provides a more achievable option for drivers who lack the major sponsorship portfolio that is required by leading Euroseries teams, and would otherwise have to look elsewhere for their next step up the career ladder.
With Renault's backing, the World Series has developed into a championship from which drivers can reach Formula One, and three major Spanish teams are established in GP2
. This has fostered new opportunities for the graduates of Spanish F3, which has, in turn, made the championship itself a success.
In recent years the Championship has become much less centred in Spain, with races across Europe, and has successfully attracted famous non-Spanish teams to take part. The first was the British outfit Team West-Tec
who went on to win two Driver's Championship titles in their first three seasons, and which were followed a year later by Italy's RP Motorsport
who have won races each year since joining.
, in which the open Formula Three system of multiple chassis and engine manufacturers is rejected in favour of a single choice of supplier. All competitors must use Toyota's F3 engine, and chassis from the ubiquitous Italian constructor, Dallara
. Championship-class competitors generally use a chassis specification from the current generation, the Dallara F308. Copa Class competitors use the previous version, the Dallara F306.
, who later graduated to GP2
. The F1 prize test is likely to be revived for the 2010 Champion.
round in 2002 and the Jerez round in 2003, each of which had only one race, and Albacete, which held a single-race event in addition to its regular two-race event in 2005.
In every season from its inception until 2007, the championship made a regular visit to Estoril
in Portugal
. The 2006 season, which was expanded to eight rounds, included the championship's first visit to Magny-Cours
in France
.
Since 2008, the series has also visited Spa in Belgium, Monza in Italy, and Donington Park in England, and is also scheduled to visit Brands Hatch in 2010.
Formula racing
Formula racing is a term that refers to various forms of open wheeled single seater motorsport. Its origin lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post-World War II single seater regulations, or formulae. The best known of these formulæ are Formula One, Formula Two, and...
series based in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is one of six national and international Formula Three
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3 or F3, is a class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers...
championships in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
that together form an important part of the established "career ladder
Career ladder
The term "career ladder" is a metaphor or buzzword used to denote vertical job promotion. In business and human resources management, the ladder typically describes the progression from entry level positions to higher levels of pay, skill, responsibility, or authority. This metaphor is spatially...
" below Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
. The championship's first season was held in 2001. In 2006, it was branded as the Spanish F3 Championship by Toyota, in deference to its sole engine supplier.
Profile
The Spanish Formula Three Championship was formed during Spain's recent growth period in motor racing that began with the Euro Open Movistar by Nissan, which eventually became the World Series by RenaultWorld Series by Renault
The World Series by Renault, formerly the World Series by Nissan from 1998 to 2004, is a motor racing series. The series consists of the flagship Formula Renault 3.5 Series , the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and the Eurocup Mégane Trophy...
when the two companies' motor racing programs were reorganised. The new championship replaced the previously existing Super Formula Toyota, a one-make series with performance similar to F3.
The European F3 Open championship has become successful by actively taking measures to control budget requirements. This provides a more achievable option for drivers who lack the major sponsorship portfolio that is required by leading Euroseries teams, and would otherwise have to look elsewhere for their next step up the career ladder.
With Renault's backing, the World Series has developed into a championship from which drivers can reach Formula One, and three major Spanish teams are established in GP2
GP2 Series
The GP2 Series, GP2 for short, is a form of open wheel motor racing introduced in 2005 following the discontinuation of the long-term Formula One feeder series, Formula 3000. The format was conceived by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, while Ecclestone also has the rights to the name GP1...
. This has fostered new opportunities for the graduates of Spanish F3, which has, in turn, made the championship itself a success.
In recent years the Championship has become much less centred in Spain, with races across Europe, and has successfully attracted famous non-Spanish teams to take part. The first was the British outfit Team West-Tec
Team West-Tec
Team West-Tec F3 is a motor racing team owned by Gavin Wills and John Miller. The team currently operates from a base in Corby in the United Kingdom and is the most successful team in the history of the European Formula 3 Open series.-History:...
who went on to win two Driver's Championship titles in their first three seasons, and which were followed a year later by Italy's RP Motorsport
RP Motorsport
RP Motorsport is an auto racing team based in Italy....
who have won races each year since joining.
Sub-divisions
Like British Formula Three, the series incorporates a second championship class for chassis specifications from the previous generation. The Copa was created in 2005, and provides an opportunity for drivers without competitive budgets, who would otherwise be left unable to progress from cheaper formulae. The name is derived from the chassis specification that all Copa entrants must use: the Dallara F306.Equipment
The European F3 Open Championship employs an approach to chassis and engine choice that is also used in Asian F3Asian Formula Three Championship
The Asian Formula Three Championship was a single-seater racing series based in South East Asia. It is one of a number of national and international Formula Three championships that form part of an established "career ladder" below Formula One. It was sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the...
, in which the open Formula Three system of multiple chassis and engine manufacturers is rejected in favour of a single choice of supplier. All competitors must use Toyota's F3 engine, and chassis from the ubiquitous Italian constructor, Dallara
Dallara
Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993...
. Championship-class competitors generally use a chassis specification from the current generation, the Dallara F308. Copa Class competitors use the previous version, the Dallara F306.
F1 tests
The exclusive use of the Toyota engine prompted Toyota to offer a Formula One test to each year's champion. The first driver to benefit from this was 2004 champion Borja GarcíaBorja Garcia
Borja García is a Spanish race car driver. He was the 2004 Spanish Formula Three champion, and raced in the inaugural GP2 Series season.-Career:...
, who later graduated to GP2
GP2 Series
The GP2 Series, GP2 for short, is a form of open wheel motor racing introduced in 2005 following the discontinuation of the long-term Formula One feeder series, Formula 3000. The format was conceived by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, while Ecclestone also has the rights to the name GP1...
. The F1 prize test is likely to be revived for the 2010 Champion.
Venues
Between 2001 and 2005, the Spanish F3 Championship had seven rounds, each with two races. Exceptions to this included the ValenciaCircuit de Valencia
Circuit Ricardo Tormo, also known as Circuit de Valencia and officially named Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, is a motorsport race track located in Cheste and built in 1999. It has a capacity of 120,000 spectators and seating for 60,000...
round in 2002 and the Jerez round in 2003, each of which had only one race, and Albacete, which held a single-race event in addition to its regular two-race event in 2005.
In every season from its inception until 2007, the championship made a regular visit to Estoril
Autódromo do Estoril
The Autódromo do Estoril is a race course in Portugal, owned by state-run holding management company Parpública. Its length is . It was the home of the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984 to 1996....
in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. The 2006 season, which was expanded to eight rounds, included the championship's first visit to Magny-Cours
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours is a motor racing circuit located in central France, near the towns of Magny-Cours and Nevers, some 250 km from Paris...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Since 2008, the series has also visited Spa in Belgium, Monza in Italy, and Donington Park in England, and is also scheduled to visit Brands Hatch in 2010.
Champions
| Season | Series Name | Champion | Team Champion | Secondary Class Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 2001 Spanish Formula Three season The 2001 Spanish Formula Three season was the first Spanish Formula Three season. It began on May 27 at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia and ended on November 11 at Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló after seven rounds... |
Spanish Formula Three |  Ander VilariñoAnder Vilarino Ander Vilariño Facal is a Spanish professional racecar driver who competed in several national formula championships from 1996 to 2004. Vilariño competed in karting events from 1990 until his 1996 debut in French Formula Campus. In 1997 Vilariño would move to the more prestigious French Formula... |
Racing Engineering Racing Engineering Racing Engineering is a Spanish racing team founded in 1999 by Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón. The team's headquarters are located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, near Jerez, in a state-of-the-art factory, where all car preparation and race team organization is based.... |
|
| 2002 | Spanish Formula Three | Marcel Costa Marcel Costa Marcel Costa is a Spanish auto racing driver.-Career:Costa was the 2002 Spanish Formula Three Champion, yet after a season in the Spanish GT Series, where he was a class champion, Costa spent 2004 and 2005 in the motor racing wilderness, with just a win in the Barcelona 24 Hours to his credit... |
Racing Engineering Racing Engineering Racing Engineering is a Spanish racing team founded in 1999 by Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón. The team's headquarters are located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, near Jerez, in a state-of-the-art factory, where all car preparation and race team organization is based.... |
|
| 2003 | Spanish Formula Three |  Ricardo MaurícioRicardo Maurício Ricardo Maurício is a Brazilian racing driver. He currently drives in the Stock Car Brasil series, which he won in 2008... |
Racing Engineering Racing Engineering Racing Engineering is a Spanish racing team founded in 1999 by Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón. The team's headquarters are located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, near Jerez, in a state-of-the-art factory, where all car preparation and race team organization is based.... |
|
| 2004 | Spanish Formula Three | Borja García Borja Garcia Borja García is a Spanish race car driver. He was the 2004 Spanish Formula Three champion, and raced in the inaugural GP2 Series season.-Career:... |
Racing Engineering Racing Engineering Racing Engineering is a Spanish racing team founded in 1999 by Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón. The team's headquarters are located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, near Jerez, in a state-of-the-art factory, where all car preparation and race team organization is based.... |
|
| 2005 | Spanish Formula Three | Andy Soucek Andy Soucek Andy Christian Soucek, aka Souček is a professional racecar driver.-Career:Soucek's father is Austrian, and he has Austrian and Spanish nationality, although he was born in Spain and has spent his life there. He races under the Spanish flag because he "feels Spanish"... |
Racing Engineering Racing Engineering Racing Engineering is a Spanish racing team founded in 1999 by Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón. The team's headquarters are located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, near Jerez, in a state-of-the-art factory, where all car preparation and race team organization is based.... |
Arturo Llobell Arturo Llobell Arturo Llobell is a racecar driver who has thus far had a short but successful motor-racing career. Llobell started competing in karting events professional in 2001, getting a break in Spanish Formula Junior during 2003. He would hold down a key seat in Formula Junior during 2004, whilst also... (Copa) |
| 2006 | Spanish Formula Three by Toyota |  Ricardo RisattiRicardo Risatti Ricardo Caíto Risatti is an Argentine racing driver who has progressed through the ranks of formula single-seater racing in South America and Europe. He was the 2006 Spanish Formula Three champion and now competes in the Argentine touring car series, TC 2000.-Career history:Risatti began his... |
Racing Engineering Racing Engineering Racing Engineering is a Spanish racing team founded in 1999 by Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón. The team's headquarters are located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, near Jerez, in a state-of-the-art factory, where all car preparation and race team organization is based.... |
Germán Sánchez Germán Sánchez (racing driver) Germán Sánchez Flor is a Spanish racing driver.-Formula Three:Sánchez made his car racing debut aged just sixteen, when he took part in the 2006 Spanish Formula Three Championship. Driving a Dallara F300 for Escuela Profiltek, Sánchez was also eligible for the secondary Copa de España as he was... (Copa) |
| 2007 2007 Spanish Formula Three season The 2007 Spanish Formula Three season was the 7th Spanish Formula Three Championship season. It commenced on March 31, 2007 and ended on November 11 after sixteen races, with Spanish driver Máximo Cortés crowned champion.-Teams and drivers:... |
Spanish Formula Three | Máximo Cortés Máximo Cortés Máximo Cortés is a Spanish racing driver who competes in single seater formulae.-Formula Three:After a first successful season in the Master Junior Formula, finishing the season as runner-up, Cortés graduated to Spanish Formula Three Championship in 2006 with Spanish team Escuderia TEC-Auto... |
Escuderia TEC-Auto Escuderia TEC-Auto Escuderia TEC-Auto is a racing team from Spain. It was founded in 2003 after the acquisition by Carlos Cosidó and Paul South of the Azteca Motor Sport. In 2004 the team changed its name and appears for the first time with the denomination of TEC Auto... |
 Christian EbbesvikChristian Ebbesvik Thor–Christian Ebbesvik is a professional racing driver from Norway.-Formula Ford:Ebbesvik began his racing career in 2005, driving for Team JLR in the British Formula Ford Championship. He finished the year in sixth place and also took part in the end–of–season Formula Ford Festival at Brands... (Copa) |
| 2008 2008 Spanish Formula Three season The 2008 Spanish Formula Three season was the 8th Spanish Formula Three Championship season. It commenced on May 3, 2008 and ended on November 2. The Spanish driver Germán Sánchez was crowned champion, two points ahead of runner-up Nelson Panciatici, who was driving an older 'B-class' car... |
Spanish Formula Three | Germán Sánchez Germán Sánchez (racing driver) Germán Sánchez Flor is a Spanish racing driver.-Formula Three:Sánchez made his car racing debut aged just sixteen, when he took part in the 2006 Spanish Formula Three Championship. Driving a Dallara F300 for Escuela Profiltek, Sánchez was also eligible for the secondary Copa de España as he was... |
Campos F3 Racing |
 Natacha GachnangNatacha Gachnang Natacha Gachnang is a Swiss race driver and the cousin of Formula One driver Sébastien Buemi.-Career:... (Copa) |
| 2009 2009 European F3 Open season The 2009 European F3 Open season was the 9th Spanish Formula Three Championship season and 1st with the new championship denomination. It began on May 2, 2009 in Valencia and will end on November 1 in Montmeló after 16 rounds in five different countries. The main Class A title was claimed by Bruno... |
European F3 Open | Bruno Méndez Bruno Méndez Bruno Méndez López is a Spanish racing driver.-Master Junior Formula:After a short karting career, Méndez begun his single–seater career in the Master Junior Formula in 2006, winning six races to finish as series runner–up behind fellow Spaniard Daniel Campos-Hull.-Formula Three:In 2007, Méndez... |
Campos Racing Campos Racing Campos Racing is a Spanish motor racing team, run by former Formula One driver Adrián Campos. The team has been successful in Formula Three and the GP2 Series.-History:... |
 Callum MacLeodCallum MacLeod Callum MacLeod is a professional British race car driver who drove in the 2009 and 2010 European F3 Open Championship seasons, and currently drives in the 2011 GP3 Series season.-Racing career highlights:... (Copa) |
| 2010 2010 European F3 Open season The 2010 European F3 Open season was the tenth Spanish Formula Three Championship season, and the second under the European F3 Open Championship branding... |
European F3 Open | Marco Barba Marco Barba Marco Antonio Barba López is a Spanish racing driver and brother to Álvaro Barba.-Formula Junior 1600:Barba began his racing career in 2003 in the Spanish Formula Junior 1600 series, taking a single podium and two pole positions to finish the year in 12th place... |
 Cedars Motorsport |
Noel Jammal (Copa) |
| 2011 2011 European F3 Open season The 2011 European F3 Open season is the eleventh Spanish Formula Three Championship season, and the third under the European F3 Open Championship branding... |
European F3 Open | Alex Fontana Alex Fontana Alex Fontana is a Swiss racing driver of Greek descent.-Karting:Prior to his racing career, Fontana enjoyed a very successful period in the junior Karting ranks, the highlights of his career coming in 2007 when he won the Swiss KF3 championship and the following year when he became champion in the... |
Team West-Tec Team West-Tec Team West-Tec F3 is a motor racing team owned by Gavin Wills and John Miller. The team currently operates from a base in Corby in the United Kingdom and is the most successful team in the history of the European Formula 3 Open series.-History:... |
Fabio Gamberini Fabio Gamberini Fabio Gamberini is a Brazilian racing driver currently competing in the European F3 Open Championship. He also competed in the Nürburgring rounds of the 2011 Formula Two season-Career summary:* Season in progress... (Copa) |