The FIA Formula 3 Championship unveiled the F3 2019 car to the international media at the Yas Marina Circuit today. The new car, which will be raced in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons, was revealed in the Formula 1 paddock ahead of the final F1 Grand Prix of the 2018 season.

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 optimized 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 has made a successful shakedown on October 11^th at the driving school circuit in Nevers Magny-Cours and later completed 165 laps over the following two weeks also 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.

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.”

The F3 2019 car specs

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

• Compromise between performance and cost effectiveness wherever possible.
• Extensive use of composite materials.
• Sequential gearbox.
• Electro-hydraulic gear shift system.
• All in one ECU- GCU – Data logger equipment.
• High speed data acquisition system but no telemetry.
• DRS.
• F1 type Virtual Safety Car system.

CHASSIS AND BODYWORK

• Chassis designed by Dallara Automobili.
• Carbon Monocoque complying to FIA F3 2019 Safety standards.
• Front and rear wing made out of carbon composite material.

ENGINE

• Bespoke Mecachrome 6 cylinder 3.4 litres naturally aspirated 380 HP @ 8000 rpm.
• Fly by wire throttle system.

GEARBOX

• Bespoke six gear longitudinal gearbox designed by Hewland.
• Magneti Marelli electro-hydraulic command via paddle shift from steering wheel.

TYRES

• Pirelli tyres.
• Three specific compounds developed for GP3 to provide the most suitable compound for every circuit. 

PERFORMANCE

• A top speed of 300 km/h.
• Lateral acceleration up to +/- 2.6 G.
• Maximum braking deceleration -1.9 G
• Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h: 3.0 seconds
• Acceleration 0 – 200km/h: 7.7 seconds.

Dan Ticktum will start on pole position for tomorrow’s FIA F3 World Cup Qualification Race after setting a benchmark pace in the final qualifying session.

Running was interrupted by several accidents, with a number of those having an impact on other drivers during flying laps.

Motopark Academy’s Ticktum made the best of the situation, however, as last year’s Macau GP winner produced a fantastic 2:09.910 lap time that couldn’t be matched.

Carlin’s Callum Illot claimed second and was one of the racers looking to improve again when red flags ended the session prematurely. The Ferrari Academy racer was lucky to avoid a stricken car through Police Corner, having to immediate avoiding action, but second still represented a good result for the F3 returnee.

A delighted Sacha Fenestraz will line-up third tomorrow as he exceeded his top five hopes. The Frenchman won on the streets of Pau earlier this season and the Carlin man converted that street fighter form here to Macau.

Joel Eriksson’s session ended in drama as he crashed into the already spun Threebond Racing car of Ukyo Sasahara while approaching the start/finish line. Thankfully for Eriksson, he had already clocked a lap good enough for fourth on the timesheets.

Guan Yu Zhou was the highest placed SJM Theodore Racing by Prema driver in fifth, with the home hero producing his best effort in the final moments.

Hitech GP’s Jake Hughes has been a front-runner throughout the weekend so far, and he eventually secured a top six berth at the end of the session.

Marino Sato made it three Motopark cars in the top seven, whilst a further trio of SJM Theodore Racing by Prema cars completed the next four positions.

Marcus Armstrong, Mick Schumacher and Ralf Aron rounded out the top ten, but all three endured mixed sessions. Armstrong’s running ended in the barrier, whilst Schumacher ran wide twice whilst on timed efforts.

FIA president Jean Todt has confirmed the governing body will investigate the terrifying crash for Sophia Floersch during Sunday's Macau Grand Prix.

The 17-year-old was seen torpedoing through a catch fence into a photographers area after reportedly going airborne over a kerb on the approach to Lisboa Bend and gaining further height over the back of Sho Tsuboi's car.

Medical reports later confirmed a fractured spine for the German as well as injuries to three track personnel, two photographers and a marshal, all of which were kept in hospital overnight. Tsuboi also required treatment but was discharged on Sunday.

"Just wanted to let everybody know that I am fine but will be going into surgery tomorrow morning," Floersch tweeted after the crash. "Thanks to the FIA, HWA and Mercedes who are taking great care of me.

"Thanks to everybody for the supporting messages. Update soon."

It was in response to that tweet, that Todt announced the investigation.

"After the serious incident today in Macau, the FIA is mobilized to help those involved and analyze what happened. We will monitor the situation and make the necessary conclusions.

"All my thoughts are with you Sophia Floersch & the others injured. I wish you all a safe recovery."

After a lengthy red flag period following the crash, Formula 3's signature race was won by Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum for the second straight year, becoming only the third driver ever to win back-to-back in Macau.

Mick Schumacher set a blistering pace in Free Practice 2 of the FIA F3 World Cup as all 28 cars clocked laps ahead of this afternoon’s all-important qualifying session.

Last year’s Qualification Race winner, Callum Illot, looked to have secured the spot himself before Schumacher’s 2:10.674s lap time, so the Carlin racer had to settle for second at the finish.

The session proved hugely competitive with Juri Vips, Jake Hughes and reigning FIA F3 World Cup winner Dan Ticktum next in the order.

Less than half a second separated the top eight drivers around the 6.12KM Guia Circuit with early pace-setter Joel Eriksson, Marcus Armstrong and Alex Palou in sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

Ralf Aron and Jehan Daruvala completed the top ten order, before the session was cut short in the final minute when TODA Racing’s Toshiki Oyu made contact with the infamous Macau barrier.

Qualifying 2 for the FIA F3 World Cup takes place at 1510 (local time) with Ticktum currently holding provisional pole position ahead of Illot and Schumacher.