New regulations for 2017 are set to reduce the costs involved for competitors in the European Formula 3 championship. Organisers hope the new regulations will also help to create a level playing field across the board.
Changes range from wind tunnel bans to a limit on the number of trucks teams can bring to the track and are all aimed at making the series more appealing to young drivers.
There will also be an increase in the amount of prize money on offer for rookies and the cost of entrance fees will be reduced.
Teams will now be charged €2000 per driver per round in entrance fees, or €3000 per driver per round if a late entry. The maximum number of drivers a team can field will remain at four.
Testing also faces stricter regulations this season with the aim to cut costs and reduce any unfair advantages. Though the number of private test days remains at six, teams will now not be able to test at any track on the calendar. Teams will also be able to compete in six official test days.
Series organisers are also targeting more obscure costs in an attempt to keep the championship as affordable as possible. A staff limit at race weekends has been agreed with teams. For “better cost control and sporting fairness” the number of operational team members working at weekends will be limited. As well as this, there will be a limit on the number of trucks teams can bring to circuits, in the hope it will discourage spending on “unnecessary paddock structures”.
The number of engines a team can use has already been limited, with strict penalties in place for any engine changes, but teams will be happy to see these penalties softened in 2017. Now, any component change due to mechanical or electrical failure will result in a one-time 10 place grip penalty in the next race, rather than the same penalty at three consecutive races.
Cost cutting isn’t the only aim of the new regulations. Series organisers want to see a tighter field this season, and emphasis the fact the championship is a young driver series.
An age limit will be introduced so no driver over the age of 25 will be able to compete in the championship. Drivers will now be able to spend up to four seasons in the series, rather than the three allowed previously.
At race weekends, a new data sharing initiative will be in place. The throttle, brake, and speed date from the fastest lap of the fastest driver of each of the two fastest teams will be available to all drivers after the first qualifying session. The hope is that this will generate closer competition later in the weekend.
