EuroFormula Open

[Diehardracer]

I see it has happened. The start of the demise of the concept of the F3 name. Just as Barmy Bernie has wished. But why has it happened to the F3 Open? Why can't the series use the name F3 anymore?

GT Sport today announced a name change of its leading single-seater formula, from European F.3 Open to Euroformula Open. The new denomination will be effective as from today, with the Euroformula Open identity being implemented progressively ahead of the start of the 2014 season. The new name and the new logo of the series were presented today by Jesús Pareja, CEO of GT Sport, to the teams participating to the collective testing session in Jerez that opens the 2014 Winter Series.

The new name reflects today’s situation in the world of F.3 cars-based championships and will help identifying more clearly the Euroformula Open, which has gained increasing success in recent years thanks to some distinctive features such as an excellent costs/returns ratio, top level venues and a premium TV coverage package.

The European F.3 Open denomination had been in use since 2009, when the championship evolved from the former Spanish F.3 Championship into a continental series, running in parallel with the International GT Open.

Jesús Pareja commented: “Only the brand changes, not the content. The new Euroformula Open will continue to be the same”.

The CEO of GT Sport further explained: “To keep the F.3 denomination would have entailed to adopt the new FIA F.3 engine rules, something that would have had severe budget implications for the teams. We are of the view that this is not wise, especially in the current economic context. We think that offering a high performance formula at the most reasonable cost possible is the right way forward. This is our philosophy and we will continue to provide our competitors the same competitive package as in the past. Furthermore, with the 2014 engine up-grade, the Euroformula Open cars will have a performance level similar to any other series using F.3 chassis. For us, to retain the freedom to further improve the performance package and the cost-effectiveness in the future is a crucial point. The name change also allows avoiding confusion with the European F.3 Championship recently re-instated by the FIA. We definitely think that preserving the essence of our series is more important than how it is called and we look forward to an exciting 2014 season”.

http://f3open.net/article.php?cont=515

 

[prisonermonkeys]

They cannot use the Formula 3 name because the rules governing Formula 3 cars have changed, and the cars competing in this series no longer fit the Formula 3 rules.

And Bernie Ecclestone had nothing to do with it. This is part of the FIA's overhaul of the junior categories, commissioned by Jean Todt and reviewed by Gerhard Berger. The FIA wanted to go back to the days when there was a single pre-eminent Formula 3 championship, so that young drivers had a clearer path to follow up through the ranks. Since most Formula 3 cars were already several years old, it was decided that the formula needed to be revised, and so the rules were redefined, with older cars being ineligible for classification as Formula 3.

But by all means, continue to blame Bernie for things he didn't do.

 

[Diehardracer]

They cannot use the Formula 3 name because the rules governing Formula 3 cars have changed, and the cars competing in this series no longer fit the Formula 3 rules.

I am only aware of the chassis used. The F312 and F308. Sadly I am not aware of the mechanical what-not's. But I have always believed that any alterations to the changes in the recognized and applied technical or sporting regulations did not really affect a name to the point it has to be completely re-branded. That is why I have a problem understanding the need to re-name the F3 Open the EuroFormula Open.

We have seen many series over so many years go through a period of not so much technical development as evolution with the production of more powerful and/or cost effective engine unit and more aerodynamic chassis which as a result improves fuel efficiency and creates less drag such as those seen in the BTCC in the shape of the NGTC specification. That is nothing new. What is, is this is the first time such a change has forced the alteration of the brand name.

The FIA wanted to go back to the days when there was a single pre-eminent Formula 3 championship, so that young drivers had a clearer path to follow up through the ranks.

Do you mean a sort of visible path of graduation in formula classification beginning with F4 and working through F3 and F2 to F1?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Sort of. The FIA wants one series because in the past, the quality of a particular national series has hinged on the grid. A lot if young drivers have wasted years of their career by moving to the wrong series at the wrong time.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Sort of. The FIA wants one series because in the past, the quality of a particular national series has hinged on the grid. A lot if young drivers have wasted years of their career by moving to the wrong series at the wrong time.

I think Todt has been a good "business manager" for the FIA but didn't see him pulling the constituent countries together for action during his last term.

Maybe he's starting this one on a better basis? Certainly there seems to have been more concrete development (or at least solid planning) this time? I hope the plan comes together... as you say, a lot of drivers have ended up in series that weren't really leading them anywhere.

Great fun, I'm sure, but nowadays noone will simply invest in having fun.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Certainly there seems to have been more concrete development (or at least solid planning) this time?

Well, Gerhard Berger has actually carried out a review of the junior series before making any decisions. Unlike Johnathan Palmer, whose research upon starting Formula 2 seemed to be "there is Formula 1 and Formula 3, but no Formula 2, so please give me money".

I hope the plan comes together... as you say, a lot of drivers have ended up in series that weren't really leading them anywhere.

European Formula 3 has so far attracted some pretty talented drivers at the front end. The backmarkers aren't great, but the series is working.

 

[Diehardracer]

Sort of. The FIA wants one series because in the past, the quality of a particular national series has hinged on the grid. A lot if young drivers have wasted years of their career by moving to the wrong series at the wrong time.

What will happen though to the all the ones like the World Series by Renault and AutoGP, never mind national F3 Championships like the BF3, if they (FIA) want one series? In the case of the former we have seen several good drivers make it like Kvyatt, Magnussen and Vandoorne but if the FIA want one series then the World Series by Renault will be considered a bit of an outsider.

European Formula 3 has so far attracted some pretty talented drivers at the front end. The backmarkers aren't great, but the series is working.

Same with all motor-sport disciplines though.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

What will happen though to the all the ones like the World Series by Renault and AutoGP, never mind national F3 Championships like the BF3, if they (FIA) want one series? In the case of the former we have seen several good drivers make it like Kvyatt, Magnussen and Vandoorne but if the FIA want one series then the World Series by Renault will be considered a bit of an outsider.

It applies only to Formula 3, because those other series have a clearly defined path to Formula 1. But Formula 3 was in complete disarray, and it was easy to get caught up in national championships.

Right now, you have Formula 1 as the top tier of motorsport. GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5 are the primary feeder series. GP3 feeds into GP2, and the Eurocup 2.0 and NEC feed into Formula Renault 3.5. But then you have all of the Formula 3 championships, which really just exist. If you want to get to Formula 1, you have to cross over into another series. The FIA wants the European Formula 3 championship to sit on the sane level as GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5, and series like Euro Formulaopen to be on a level with GP3. It is hoped that doing this will open up more room for talented young drivers to make their way into Formula 1, and cut costs a little by creating a bigger supply of open seats - because right now, if you try to get into GP2, you are competing with drivers who have no business being there, but continue to race because they have money.

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

The FIA wants the European Formula 3 championship to sit on the sane level as GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5, and series like Euro Formulaopen to be on a level with GP3.

FIA Euro F3 is surely an equivalent to GP3 rather than GP2 and FR3.5 (although GP3 cars are quicker). Euro Formula Open is nowhere near to the level of GP3, the cars are not as quick and the drivers are nowhere near as good, the drivers and teams are probably a step lower than those in FR2.0.

This is my understanding:

Tier 1: Formula One
Tier 1.5 (Talented drivers can make a good career here but no chance of any movement to F1): IndyCar, Sportscars
Tier 2: GP2 Series, Formula Renault 3.5
Tier 3: GP3 Series, FIA European F3
Tier 4: British F3, FR2.0 Eurocup
Tier 5: Pretty much all the others like Formula Ford, EuroFormula Open, etc

if you try to get into GP2, you are competing with drivers who have no business being there, but continue to race because they have money.

And so they should, these drivers who bring money keep the championships going, GP2 wouldn't exist without them since half the teams wouldn't have survived the last couple of years without 'pay-drivers'.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

FIA Euro F3 is surely an equivalent to GP3 rather than GP2 and FR3.5 (although GP3 cars are quicker).

It is at the moment, but the FIA want European Formula 3 to be on the same level as GP2 and FR3.5; that was one of the reasons for rewriting the regulations. They might not be as powerful as GP2 or FR3.5 cars, but we have seen drivers go straight from GP3 to Formula 1. The important point is the conditions for a superlicence and how you can earn one in European Formula 3.